THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, February 9, 1995             TAG: 9502070099
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS          PAGE: 04   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY ALEX MARSHALL, STAFF WRITER 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   30 lines

HEAVY TRUCKS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON 26TH STREET BRIDGE

For the next few years, heavy trucks will not rumble across the 26th Street Bridge over the Lafayette River. The city has imposed a load limit because the bridge is deteriorating and can no longer safely support heavy trucks.

Residents along 26th Street and Lafayette Boulevard may welcome the absence of heavy truck traffic. But the ban will impose a burden on commercial traffic, which must travel some distance to another route across the Lafayette River to Tidewater Drive.

Buses and vans are still allowed to use the bridge. In addition, dump trucks up to 18 tons and tractor- trailers up to 34 tons are permitted. However, other heavy vehicles are prohibited.

The city is scheduled to begin repair work later this winter on the bridge, which was built in 1938. The repairs will focus on deteriorating concrete and expansion joints. Rehabilitation of the bridge should take 18 to 24 months, said Steven Snyder, of the city's department of Public Works.

During this construction period, only one lane of traffic each way will be open on the bridge. by CNB