Local

NCDOT closes unsafe bridge in Stanly County

STANLY COUNTY, N.C. — On Wednesday, the North Carolina Department of Transportation closed the Bethlehem Church Road bridge over Long Creek near Aquadale in Stanly County due to unsafe conditions.

[ALSO READ: Inspectors assess damage to bridges hit by flooding]

The bridge was immediately shut down after an inspection.

The NCDOT said it could post a weight limit, make immediate repairs or close the bridge until it’s fixed, depending on the safety issues.

The bridge is scheduled for replacement in 2023, but the NCDOT said it is looking for ways to speed up the process.

Traffic will follow a 4.3-mile detour using Bethlehem Church Road, Barbees Grove Road, N.C. Highway 138 and Old Aquadale Road.

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