Major bridge in foothills to close for repairs

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Transportation plans to shut down a major bridge linking two counties in the foothills for about 1 ½ years.

The Castle Bridge crosses the Catawba River between Caldwell and Burke counties and according to state officials, it has problems with its steel beams.

More than 9,000 vehicles cross the Castle Bridge between Caldwell and Burke Counties daily, but those drivers will have to find a new route as the NCDOT plans on closing the bridge this summer for 15-18 months.

"I don't like that because I have to cross that bridge every day," resident Ellen Crump said.

The bridge opened in 1961 had structural issues. The concrete pavement and steel guides need to be replaced.

Now the beams are covered with rust.

The town of Rutherford College is holding a meeting Monday with the NCDOT about the closure.

Drivers may have problems getting to a hospital on the Burke County side, a short distance from the bridge.

"As far as a hospital being six to seven minutes away, it will now be 20 to 25 minutes to get to a hospital.  That's a big deal for us," resident Ashley Haas said.

Businesses on both sides of the Catawba River are bracing for the shutdown this summer.

"I can't believe it will be shut down that long," Darice Chester, with Hog Wild Barbecue, said.

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