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Problems Could Close 56th Street Bridge For Days

Tribune photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

State officials have shut down the southbound lanes of the 56th Street bridge to conduct an emergency inspection after a maintenance crew discovered possible structural problems on the 55 year old bridge.

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By RICH SHOPES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 22, 2009

Updated: 01/22/2009 02:56 pm

TAMPA - The southbound 56th Street Bridge in East Tampa could be shut down for days while inspectors determine the severity of problems discovered this morning by a maintenance crew.

Workers were replacing a handrail when they noticed the road and four of the bridge's beams had separated by an inch or two, possibly because of recent changes in temperature.

"They just noticed the structural condition and it concerned them," said Department of Transportation spokeswoman Kris Carson.

Officials aren't sure when the bridge, which goes over the Hillsborough River, will be re-opened. "It could be several days," Carson said.

Officials said the two-lane concrete structure was built in 1954. It passed a regular, two-year inspection in June 2007, and was scheduled for inspection again this June.

Inspectors found no problems with the northbound bridge, built in 1963.

The bridge is not in danger of collapsing, Carson said. About 48,000 vehicles a day cross it.

Police closed the bridge at 11 a.m. Traffic is being re-routed to Busch Boulevard and 40th Street

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633.

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