The 40th Avenue Bridge connects the Northeast Park and Shore Acres neighborhoods.

ST. PETERSBURG – City officials have closed the 40th Street Bridge to vehicle traffic after an independent review raised concerns about the structural integrity of the span.

The bridge, which connects the Northeast Park and Shore Acres neighborhoods, will be closed to traffic for about two weeks for emergency repairs.

Consultants performed a field review of the bridge Thursday (Aug. 10) at the city’s request. Inspectors found an accelerated deterioration of supporting strands as loose concrete covering them was removed. The concern of the consultants was relayed to city engineering personnel, who made the immediate decision to close the bridge and start emergency repairs.

“This is something that we felt we needed to do,” Director of Engineering and Capital Improvement Projects Brejesh Prayman said. “Right now.”

The original center parts of the bridge appear to be the most at-risk,according to the consultant’s report. Engineers are examining the possibilitythat traffic can be re-routed to the structurally sound edges sides of the span while contractors complete the needed emergency repairs and replacement of the interior bridge portions. Re-routing of the vehicular traffic will happen first – and will likely force the closure of pedestrian walkways for a longer period of time.

In the meantime, traffic will need to use the Snell Isle Boulevard NE Bridge just to the south of the closure onto the island or, from the north, use the Bayou Grande Boulevard access from 62nd Avenue N.

“We realize that this emergency closure and repair process is an inconvenience,” Prayman said. “But the safety of our residents is of the utmost importance.”

For information about the city of St. Petersburg, go to stpete.org.

Photos courtesy of the city of St. Petersburg Public Works Department.

St. Petersburg | 40th Avenue Bridge | Bridge Closing | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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