Wil-Cox Bridge shut down due to safety concerns

The Interstate 85 Yadkin River Bridge construction can't come soon enough as the 86 year old Wil-Cox Bridge was closed on Thursday afternoon due to structural safety concerns. Inspectors on Wednesday noted exposed rebar, badly deteriorating concrete, and numerous cracks.

The historic bridge carries US 29 South and US 70 West over the Yadkin River.

During a routine inspection in December of 2008, NCDOT noted cracks and areas of missing concrete, but NCDOT did not deem the damages as not needing immediate attention. Recently, Davidson County had commissioned its own inspection of the bridge. The inspection, which occurred two months ago, was done by a former state bridge inspector. The Davidson County inspection found nothing wrong.

Once the new Interstate 85 bridges are completed downstream, Davidson County intends to take ownership of the historic Wil-Cox Bridge and convert it to a bike and pedestrian greenway

These new developments may have an impact on the long-term future of the bridge.

Story:
Safety concerns lead to closing of Wil-Cox Bridge; no timeframe on reopening ---Salisbury Post

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