11:42 AM EST on Friday, March 18, 2005

From VDOT

From VDOT

The Route 125 Kings Highway Bridge in Suffolk will close to traffic on Saturday morning because it's unsafe, VDOT says.

"After viewing the most recent inspection report, it has become clear that the Kings Highway Bridge is deteriorated beyond the point where it can be reasonably repaired," states Mac Neblett, P.E., Suffolk Resident Engineer. "In the interest of public safety, we have made the difficult decision to close it until a new bridge can be built."

That means a 19-mile detour for drivers and signs will be posted directing people around it.

The detour route, from Kings Highway, is left onto Route 628 (Crittendon Road), right onto Route 17, right onto Bennett's Pasture Road and left back onto Kings Highway.

The 77-year-old double swing span drawbridge was built in 1928 and crosses the Nansemond River.

VDOT says it's in the process of designing the new bridge but has not yet secured funding to build it.l