Bridge repairs prompts ban on heavy traffic

DOWNEY - Los Angeles County engineers have placed a 20-ton maximum load limit on traffic crossing the Firestone Boulevard bridge over the San Gabriel River into Norwalk.Downey public works officials said the new weight limit "will have a significant impact on the use of Firestone Boulevard by large commercial trucks, as the legal weight for an 18-wheeler is 40 tons." Engineers conducting routine maintenance on the bridge this weekend discovered that additional repairs are needed, prompting the new weight limit, city officials said in a press release. The new weight limit is expected to remain in effect until 2014. In the meantime, cargo traffic and heavy vehicles are expected to instead cross the river using Florence Avenue or Imperial Highway. Public works will install new weight-limit signs this week. Local businesses, including car dealerships, are also being notified.

********** Published: September 2, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 20