WILMINGTON — The North Carolina Department of Transportation is closing a bridge on I-140 as contractors perform maintenance on it this week. The bridge, located at the Cedar Hill Road exit will remain closed until it is repaired later this week.
“The best alternative route directs drivers to take exit five for U.S. 74/76 East to U.S. 421 North and then back to I-140 East. Westbound lanes of I-140 will remain open for the duration of the repairs. Transportation officials anticipate the eastbound lanes to reopen later this week. First, equipment and materials must be delivered to the site, then repairs will be conducted and the interstate will reopen following a safety review,” according to NCDOT.
“The safest action we can take is to close the bridge and make the necessary repairs as quickly and safely as possible,” Division 3 Engineer Karen Collette said via press release. “A contractor and our bridge team have done a nice job of developing a solution that will serve drivers for years to come.”
The closure was not planned and the need for the repair was noticed by an employee who noticed a bump in the road.
“On Saturday night, an NCDOT employee noticed an unusual bump on the bridge and took action for the safety of motorists resulting in the closure. An inspection on Sunday revealed a shift in sole plates between two of four girders. The inspection also found that structural elements including the cap, columns and foundation are sound. The repair plan calls for shifting the sole plates back into place,” according to the press release.
