A metal, grated bridge on Cold Run Road in Walker Township is in bad shape and requires re-rated until the township can make the necessary repairs.

Greg Stewart, a structural engineer with Alfred Benesch, the township's engineering firm, advised the board of supervisors as to the condition of the bridge at their regular meeting. The firm performed an initial visual inspection and then followed up with a complete inspection."The beams are in worse shape than we were originally able to see," said Stewart. "We thought we could replace the worst beams, but you really don't have any good beams left."The bridge consists of 12 beams that support a metal grid."The webs of the beams themselves are completely gone. When that happens, you have the vertical strength gone," he said.Stewart recommended the township immediately move forward with putting a weight restriction on the bridge."We need to limit the size of the vehicles that can go over it. We don't want oversized vehicles going on it and causing a catastrophe," he said.Stewart said he had initially hoped the township could get by with a 10-ton rating, but due to the severe condition, he recommended a six-ton rating instead. As far as repairing the bridge, the township will need to consider its options.Available funding may affect how the township can pursue the project."We may be able to replace the beams, put the grid back on, and we're good to go," said Stewart, "but it's going to be hard to use liquid fuel funds to do that."The bridge also goes over a small stream, which is going to limit the repair options as well. Stewart said the township could consider replacing the bridge with a pipe."Could we put a pipe in there?" Stewart asked. "Realistically, that's a great option, but the flow would not be there. That capacity is about one quarter of the current capacity."Supervisors will consider what avenues of funding to pursue, and have the Benesch firm prepare a proposal for the work. Stewart noted that even if the township proceeds quickly, it would be three to six months before the project could move forward. However, it is not likely the township will be able to secure funding, proposals, and the required permits in that short amount of time."One way or the other, you're going to be replacing that bridge," said Stewart.Stewart recommended businesses and residents in the area that will be affected by the change in rating be notified via letter or phone. Vehicles that exceed the weight limit of the bridge and are caught traveling over it after it is posted can be fined and could be held liable for additional damage caused to the structure.In other business, supervisors tabled the road bid for the 2011 road projects after receiving only one bid.They also voted to post a "watch children" sign along Valley Road after it was reported that a vehicle laid down an 88-foot long skid mark and almost hit a child.