Hairline crack forces Roebling Suspension Bridge to cut vehicle weight limit

COVINGTON, Ky. - There are now new temporary weight restrictions for vehicles crossing the Roebling Suspension Bridge between Cincinnati and Covington because a hairline crack was found in its superstructure.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is reducing the vehicle weight limit from 11 tons to just three tons.

While most passenger cars, small vans and pickup trucks will be allowed on the historic span, the Southbank Shuttle trolley buses will have to detour.

Transportation officials say the small crack of several inches was found during a recent bridge inspection. They are expecting it may take as little as two weeks to re-check the crack and make repairs.

After the repairs are made, the bridge's weight limitations will be increased to 11 tons.

The age of the 142-year-old historic span forced permanent weight restrictions in 2007 to help protect the bridge from wear and tear of heavier vehicles.

That forced most TANK buses off the suspension bridge and onto the neighboring Clay Wade Bailey Bridge to the west.

TANK says the new temporary detour will add about three to eight minutes per trip across the Ohio River. The Southbank Shuttle trolley buses will now use the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge to make the crossing until the Suspension Bridge repairs are complete.

TANK officials said they have added an extra bus to the Southbank Shuttle routes to help cut down waiting time for passengers.