The Mississippi Department of Transportation placed a weight restriction on a state Route 895 bridge in Lauderdale County as the result of a recent inspection.

The posted weight restriction to Bridge No. 0.9, which is located between Tom Bailey North Road and Tom Bailey South Road, has been restricted to 8 tons for single axle vehicles. The previous restriction of 9 tons for tandem axle vehicles remains in place, according to an MDOT news release.

“These weight restrictions will protect this bridge from further damage while a skilled MDOT team works to address the issue found during the inspection,” Commissioner Dick Hall, Central Transportation District and chair Mississippi Transportation Commission, said in a statement.

An inspection determined one of the timber piles has severe decay, according to MDOT. The decay is forcing other piles to support a larger portion of the load and therefore requires a lowering of the overall weight on the bridge.

This bridge was already posted to a 9 ton weight limit for tandem axle vehicles and had been put on an accelerated inspection cycle, according to MDOT. 

“Continued use of this bridge by overweight vehicles will only result in further damage, a lower weight limit and ultimately, a complete closure of the bridge unless repairs are made,” Melinda McGrath, P.E., MDOT executive director, said in a statement. 

Signs are in place to alert motorists of the load restriction. 

For more information about posted bridges, visit http://ow.ly/Nydwu. For more information about MDOT projects, visit MDOTtraffic.com.