LANDINGVILLE - Vehicles weighing more than 30 tons will no longer be allowed to cross the Meadow Drive bridge over Plum Creek in South Manheim Township.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced Wednesday it posted a 27-ton weight restriction on the bridge. There is a 30-ton restriction for combinations, which are two or more vehicles connected or riding in tandem.
The bridge previously did not have a weight restriction.
A recent inspection of the bridge showed deficiencies in one of the beams. Vehicles weighing more than 27 tons or 30 tons for combinations must find an alternate route.
Sean A. Brown, safety press officer for PennDOT, said the deficiencies are the result of normal wear and tear over time.
"It had a long, useful life and bridges just deteriorate over some time," Brown said.
The Meadow Drive bridge is a rolled steel I-beam bridge built in 1940. It is 35 feet long and 22 feet wide. The road has an average daily traffic volume of 438 vehicles, which includes 53 trucks.
Brown said there is no work currently scheduled for the bridge.
For more information, follow PennDOT Engineering District 5, Allentown, on Twitter or visit www.dot.state.pa.us.