Lambert Bridge Road Closed; New Weight Limit For Hanks Road Bridge

September 14, 2011

A bridge on Lambert Bridge Road near Walnut Hill will be closed today, and the weight limit on a bridge on Hanks Road in Bratt has been dramatically decreased.

For more about the state of wooden bridges in Escambia County, click here.

Lambert Bridge Road

The bridge on Lambert Bridge Road near Walnut Hill will be closed beginning today from Velor Road to North Pine Barren Road.

“An inspection today revealed decay in two of the supporting piles with a third pile showing evidence of advanced decay,” Sonya Daniel, public information officer for Escambia County, said Monday.

The detour is Highway 164 and North Pine Barren Road. Bridge closure signs will be placed at Lambert Bridge Road and Velor Road, and barricades will be placed at the bridge. Repairs make take up to six weeks to complete.

The bridge on Lambert Bridge Road over Little Pine Barren Creek was constructed in 1968.

Hanks Road

The Hanks Road bridge over Breastworks Creek had a posted weight limit of 20 tons about a week ago; now that weight limit is just three tons, preventing most traffic except for passenger cars and trucks from passing over it. Due to the weight limit, the bridge is now off limits to many vehicles, including school buses, fire trucks and farm equipment.

“At the last inspection, it is was determined that the weight limit be lowered and it will be inspected again in six months,” said  Daniel. “It is ’safe’ at this weight limit. We are working on a timetable so repairs can be made and it can return to the original weight limits.”

Daniel said additional signage will be posted on Hanks Road to warn of the weight restricted bridge before drivers approach the structure.

The Hanks Road bridge, located just west of North Pine Barren Road, was constructed in 1968. The average daily traffic on the bridge, according to the Florida Department of Transportation, is 80 vehicles per day. The last inspection on the bridge prior to this month was September 22, 2010.

Pictured top: The bridge on Lambert Bridge Road will be closed up to six weeks for repair. Pictured inset: The weight limit on this bridge on Hanks Road was lowered from 20 to just 3 tons. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

5 Responses to “Lambert Bridge Road Closed; New Weight Limit For Hanks Road Bridge”

  1. Capt. on September 16th, 2011 1:11 am

    Wow i just went across that bridge last week

  2. Bob on September 14th, 2011 10:10 am

    When I think about this post I become sick to my stomach. A bridge that I travel everyday cannot be legally passed by the truck that I drive. Then my mind drifts to Nov. When I pay my ad valorem tax which amounts to several thousand dollars and my mind continues to drift to soccer complex, botched up bidding to contractors, and the list could go forever. At last we have an election coming up and we have a chance to at least change the direction, maybe not for the better but at least change. One district has failed to go to the polls and let one of them slide back in for four more years. I hope this does not happen again, it is time for the taxpayers to tell these people we have had enough and the way to do this is to show up at the polls and vote.

  3. David Huie Green on September 14th, 2011 9:55 am

    I’m just guessing, but I would bet that the only bridge on Lambert Bridge Road is Lambert Bridge

  4. 429SCJ on September 14th, 2011 7:58 am

    Steve Hanks, be carefull crossing that bridge, your old buddy from Keesler AFB, AMX401.

  5. Patriot on September 14th, 2011 7:15 am

    3 tons? That’s it? I wonder if they realize that, with that limit, most 3/4 ton and 1 ton pickups will be “overweight”.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News