By John Chambless
Staff Writer

Motorists traveling south on Route 82 from Kennett Square have already seen the problem, but anyone planning to drive over the East Branch of the Red Clay Creek in Kennett Township needs to find an alternate route.

Last week, PennDOT announced that the bridge carrying Route 82 over the creek will be closed indefinitely due to deterioration of its major beams.

There is rust and corrosion on the bridge deck, but the major beams are also deteriorated, according to PennDOT.

 The two-span, steel I-beam bridge was originally built in 1938, and was reconstructed in 1974. Prior to its closure, the structure had been posted with a weight limit of 17 tons, and a combination weight limit of 23 tons. Route 82 (Creek Road) will be closed near the intersection of Old Kennett Road until PennDOT bridge engineers can examine the damage and develop a plan to rehabilitate the structure. Last Wednesday, about a dozen cars and trucks approached the closure, slowed down and then followed detour signs. During the closure, motorists are advised to follow the detour of Old Kennett Road, Bayard Road and Hillendale Road. Local access is being maintained up to where the bridge is closed, and it is possible to walk across the bridge.

The bridge, which is categorized by PennDOT as structurally deficient, is 50 feet long, 24 feet wide and carries an average of 3,482 vehicles a day.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email [email protected].