Truthville Bridge reopened to most trucks

County work crews have completed temporary repairs on the Truthville Bridge where Route 12 crosses the Mettowee River and the bridge has been reopened to vehicles up to 20 tons.
John Tanner, the town highway superintendent, said the bridge reopened Sept. 13, but still cannot be used by trucks over 20 tons, including loaded tractor-trailers.
“If they’re empty, that’s OK, and most dump trucks should be OK, too,” he said. Ambulances and firetrucks are also able to use the bridge again.
Initially, a state inspector lowered the weight limit to allow only passenger vehicles and light trucks. County crews worked for about five days to reinforce the bridge deck with steel beams.
The bridge work in North Granville will continue later this fall and into next year. The county will open bids Sept. 28 to replace the Truthville Bridge and to repair the Lower Turnpike Bridge. That bridge also crosses the Mettowee River and has been closed for more than two years.
Town Supervisor Matt Hicks told Thursday’s town board meeting that the county hopes to work on the Lower Granville Bridge beginning this fall and through the winter. After that bridge is repaired, work will begin on replacing the Truthville Bridge. Hicks said he has seen the plans, and they include changes to the roadway, so drivers will no longer have to dip down into the bridge, then drive back up as they cross it.
Hicks did point out that the Lower Turnpike bridge is rated only for cars and trucks, so once work begins on Truthville, the restriction for trucks under 20 tons will be back into effect.