Newton County bridge to close this week

GRANBY, Mo. — Newton County commissioners have ordered the closure of a bridge until it can be replaced.

Beginning Friday, the Old Highway-E Bridge north of Granby, also known as "Wagon Bridge," will be closed. The 215-foot structure was built in 1922.

MODOT crews inspected it two years ago and determined its maximum load should be ten thousand pounds. About ten months later, it was inspected again, and they determined the concrete near the water had deteriorated significantly, and fixing it would cost more than replacing it.

It was also recommended to reduce the bridge to one lane so less weight would be put on it. But it continued to deteriorate, forcing commissioners to make the call to shut it down.