TRUCK RESTRICTIONS ON LEBANON, NH - HARTFORD, VT BRIDGE
US ROUTE 4 BRIDGE OVER THE CONNECTICUT RIVER
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation and the Vermont Agency of Transportation have announced the planned restriction of heavy truck traffic and the use of alternating one-way traffic on the US Route 4 Bridge over the Connecticut River connecting Lebanon, New Hampshire (Bridge Street) and Hartford (White River Junction), Vermont (Maple Street) on Monday, July 21, 2008.
This truck restriction will be in place pending further inspections and evaluation of the bridge. Initial evaluations and analysis of the bridge have found continued and significant corrosion on the steel structure. Depending on what further inspections show, it is possible the bridge will be posted to a 10-ton load capacity to protect public safety.
Signs will be in place beginning July 18 alerting motorists to the trucking restrictions and advising trucks to seek alternate routes, including the Interstate 89 bridges over the Connecticut River.
The 390-foot long US Route 4 Bridge was built in 1936 and rebuilt in 1976. It is a State of New Hampshire "Red List" bridge, with more frequent inspections required due to known deficiencies. It is scheduled to be replaced in 2010.