Hundred-year-old bridge on Larch Ave. is closed

On Monday, March 11, 2024, a small bridge on Larch Avenue, between 315th and 325th Streets in Washington County, was closed to traffic. Routine inspection of the structure showed there was significant damage to the south abutment/backwall and with the concern of it tipping, it was determined, for the safety of the traveling public, the bridge should be closed.

“I understand the closing of the bridge increases the amount of travel to get around the area, but hopefully it is a relatively minor inconvenience, as the posting before closure only allowed loads of three tons or less to cross the bridge, which is really just a car or pickup,” Washington County Engineer Jacob Thorius said.

This small structure located on Larch Avenue, a Level B Road, is in Section 25-08-74 of Brighton Township and is estimated to have originally been constructed in the 1900 to 1920 time frame. Being well over 100 years old, it has served the public well as a crossing over an unnamed tributary of Walnut Creek. Washington County will work to review all options for this structure as it relates to the local area and as a whole with regards to the County’s transportation network. In the meantime, the structure will remain closed as the County Engineer’s Office works on determining the next steps.