
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, January 24, 1995                   TAG: 9501240107
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

105-YEAR-OLD WALNUT ST. BRIDGE TAKES 1ST STEP TO REPLACEMENT

The aging bridge that connects Mill Mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway with downtown Roanoke may be thrown on the scrap heap within a year.

City Council on Monday approved some minor land purchases necessary for the construction of a new Walnut Avenue Bridge over the Roanoke River, a preliminary step toward replacing the rusting and deteriorating structure.

Plans call for the Mill Mountain end of the bridge to be closed and torn down beginning in October or November, said Bill Clark, city public works director.

That's going to mean at least a year's worth of detours for Mill Mountain and some southeast Roanoke residents until the new bridge is built and ready for traffic.

``That's what it looks like,'' Clark said. ``I'd call it our best speculation.''

It's possible that demolition may be delayed until the spring of 1996, leaving the bridge out for 15 months - until the summer of 1997, he said.

City officials have been planning a new bridge over the river since 1992, when an annual inspection revealed widespread rust on the 105-year-old structure. Major components of the structure are rated in ``marginal'' or ``poor'' condition.

The bridge's 10-ton weight limit was reduced to 8 tons in February 1994 because it was found to be vibrating under heavy loads.

But the city didn't have money for the repairs until voters approved a bond referendum in November, Clark said.

Although detour plans aren't final, the closest bridges are Jefferson Street and Ninth Street.

The city may erect some detour signs to direct summertime tourist traffic, Clark said.

It's not the first time the main artery to Mill Mountain has been closed. The bridge was shut down for deck repairs for 10 months beginning in 1986 after water and road salt caused the asphalt surface to crumble.

The project will cost an estimated $1.35 million, Clark said.

Approval by council clears the way for spending $60,000 on property now owned by Claude N. Smith; James B. Robertson; Gates Petroleum Co., and Appalachian Electric Power.

by CNB