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A single-lane bridge collapsed Wednesday morning In the White Gate community of Giles County, after a loaded concrete truck tried to cross the bridge.
According to Virginia State Trooper K.W. Spencer, state police received a call at approximately 11:53 a.m. that a bridge on Route 713, which crosses over the Big Walker Creek, had collapsed and that a concrete truck was sitting in the creek. Trooper Spencer went on to explain that a 2003 Mack concrete mixer-type truck, which was being operated by Paul Bowman of Bluefield, Va., was attempting to deliver concrete to the Amish community, which was located across the bridge. As the truck got half-way across the bridge, it collapsed, causing the truck to fall about 20 feet into Big Walker Creek. The posted weight limit of the bridge is eight (8) tons. Trooper Spencer estimated the truck weighed about 15 ½ tons at the time of the crash. The 158 foot, steel truss and timber deck bridge, was built in 1923. "This is an example of why we post weight limits on bridges. We will do a thorough investigation to determine exactly why this bridge collapsed. We want to remind all drivers to heed posted weight limits and follow posted safety instructions,” said Ken Walus, Virginia state bridge engineer, in a VDOT news release,
The bridge intersects with Route 670 in the White Gate area, near Route 42.
Route 713 is currently closed in this area.
Work is underway to replace the structurally deficient truss bridge. The Route 713 bridge was last inspected on February 5, 2008.The truck, which belonged to Franklin Readi-Mix of Rocky Mount, was totaled, along with the bridge. Bowman, who received some minor cuts, was charged with failure to obey a highway sign and for destruction of property (bridge). Trooper Spencer added that about 8-10 residences, along with the Amish Community was located across the bridge. Photos by Ron Walton and VDOT.
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