RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Jim Jennings 540-839-7537 Jim.Jennings@VirginiaDOT.org

CULP-49 June 5, 2003

VDOT CLOSES RT. 795 BRIDGE OVER HARDWARE RIVER NEAR KEENE

closing a metal truss bridge on Rt. 795 that crosses the Hardware River east of Keene due to safety concerns.
Recent inspections have found cracks in the bridge’s truss members. While the bridge is posted at 8 tons, recent logging operations in the area have brought added stress to the structure.
VDOT bridge engineers will visit the structure Friday morning to determine what actions can be taken to repair the bridge and reopen it, or if further work – including reconstruction- may be necessary.
Residents of the southern portion of Rt. 795 can take Rt. 713 to Rt. 712 to Rt. 20. Residents on the northern portion of the road can take Rt. 708 in either direction to access Rt. 20 or Rt. 618.
All road information also can be found at VDOT’s web site which is virginiaDOT.org.
-# # #-