City Closes Pedestrian Bridge Over Jackson Creek, Lowers Weight Limit for Vehicles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 17, 2007   For more information contact Patrick Murphy, Director, City of Bloomington Utilities Department, (812) 349-3666   Bloomington, IN - Following the inspection of a box culvert and pedestrian bridge over Jackson Creek on Rogers Road just east of the High Street roundabout, the City today closed the pedestrian bridge and lowered the weight limit of vehicles permitted to cross the culvert.   The pedestrian bridge is used by children to travel between The Stands and The Woodlands neighborhoods and Childs School. The Monroe County Community School Corporation has advised children who would ordinarily walk to Childs School to use the school's bus service.   The new six-ton weight limit imposed on the bridge also means that school buses, Bloomington Transit buses, dump trucks, garbage trucks and other heavy vehicles will need to find alternate routes.   "Our first and greatest concern is for the safety and well-being of our citizens, both children who use the bridge to walk and bike to school and anyone driving on Rogers Road," said Mayor Mark Kruzan. "We have already posted new load limit signs at and around the bridge, and are examining the options for improving the safety of the entire structure as efficiently and quickly as possible."   The box culvert and surrounding area was visually inspected yesterday by Indianapolis firm Beam, Longest and Neff, who is also responsible for inspecting bridges maintained by the Monroe County Highway Department.   30