Dateline: June 13, 2002

Heavy load may have caused bridge damage 

Roger Estlack, The Clarendon Enterprise 

The State Hwy. 70 bridge over the Salt Fork of the Red River was partially closed about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday after part of the structure was damaged.

Officials with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) say that a heavy load may have been what caused one of the main support pylons to be damaged. Three huge pieces of concrete were popped out of the pylon where it joins the I-beams of the bridge span. One beam on the east side of the bridge was actually twisted out of shape.

One lane of the bridge dropped 1 5/8” when the support was damaged.

All truck traffic between US 287 and I-40 is being diverted through Hedley. All passenger vehicles are still allowed to cross the bridge, located just below Greenbelt Dam, but only one lane is open.

TxDOT crews are on the scene and Donley County TxDOT Maintenance Supervisor Steve Smith says they will begin early Thursday to make repairs to the bridge. At that time all traffic will be diverted to a new temporary road through the riverbed.