ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, December 14, 1995            TAG: 9512140066
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-1  EDITION: METRO 

TIME TO CLOSE THE BRIDGE

The deteriorating 105-year-old Walnut Avenue Bridge will close for good Monday as construction crews begin demolishing it in preparation for building a replacement. The $1.9 million job is expected to last longer than a year. In the meantime, the city is routing motorists along two detours. The main detour takes drives out of downtown along Bullitt Avenue, then south on Ninth Street Southeast to Riverland Road. Drivers heading into town should turn right off Riverland and cross the Ninth Street Bridge, taking westbound Jamison Avenue back to Williamson Road. Local residents driving to Mill Mountain or the Blue Ridge Parkway are encouraged to use the second detour, on Belleview Avenue past Roanoke Memorial Hospital. The bridge was originally slated to close Dec. 4, but that was delayed because utility crews hadn't finished moving power lines.

LENGTH: Short :   28 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  Starting Monday, Roanoke commuters who use the Walnut 
          Bridge will have to find a different route. Here are some 
          suggestions. get used to them; the bridge will be closed for more 
          than a year. color. Graphic: map. color.