Traffic restrictions after bridge damaged in accident (From The Northern Echo)

Traffic restrictions after bridge damaged in accident

3:49pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Ryedale News

TEMPORARY road restrictions have been introduced after a bridge was damaged in a smash earlier this week.

The Tontine bridge on the A19 near Northallerton was damaged on Monday when an HGV pulling a digger on the morthbound carriageway came off the road and landed in a ditch.

A structural engineer from the Highways Agency was sent to the scene and as a safety precaution it has been decided the bridge should be used only by traffic leaving the A19 to travel north on the A172.

A Highways Agency spokesman said yesterday: "Current restrictions that prevent A172 southbound traffic from joining the northbound A19 - which we believe affects only a small number of local vehicles - will continue for the time being.

“These motorists are being diverted to the A684 Osmotherly interchange which is about two miles to the south.

He added: “"Temporary repairs are currently being carried out to ensure that the bridge is in a safe condition.

“A more detailed inspection was carried out yesterday and assessments are underway to decide whether any of the current restrictions can be relaxed.”

In parallel, work is underway to design a permanent repair to the damaged beams and it is expected that work will be completed within the next six months.