A new weight limit is being applied to a bridge in Van Buren County after a routine inspection identified structural issues with it.

Van Buren County Road Commission Managing Director Bret Witkowski tells us they found deterioration in the bridge deck on the bridge that carries County Road 657 over the east branch of the Paw Paw River in Antwerp Township.

“Basically, supports are failing, and there’s really not an easy way to fix that other than to redo it,” Witkowski said.

So, that’s what the road commission will do. Witkowski says it’ll have to budget about $850,000 to replace the bridge next year.

State funds may be difficult to secure for the work.

“What’s interesting is a bridge qualifies for funding possibly if it’s 20 feet or more. This one’s 19 feet.”

So, Witkowski says the road commission will just have to find the money, and it will.

In the meantime, Witkowski says effective October 17, signs indicating the new weight limit will be posted. Vehicles crossing the bridge must not exceed 31 tons, or 62,000 pounds. That won’t affect most vehicles, even large trucks.

Witkowski says the bridge remains safe, but the Van Buren County Road Commission replace it soon to ensure it stays that way.