Gaysport Bridge to Reduce to One Lane Traffic

The Gaysport bridge could see a change in traffic flow as early as Wednesday after a meeting between Muskingum County Engineer Doug Davis and the County Commissioners July16.

The bridge traffic will reduce to one lane after a recent annual inspection. The change will shift traffic to the middle of the bridge, making for safer travel.

“[Three things] we totally strive for is the traveling public, the safety of the traveling public,” said Davis. “Number two is fire and EMS and number three is people and the school buses.. to maintain that so that children and people can get back and fourth to school.”

The deck edge and outermost supporting floor have suffered damage from increased traffic flow and salting during the last winter.

“Right now with the increase of traffic over the last couple years…The Philo bridge does not have, not supposed to have any semi-trucks on it, loaded,” said Davis. “It’s catching that traffic. Last summer 60 state had a slide down there. It had a lot more traffic on it. That’s all probably come into play with this structure being fatigued beyond it’s years. ”

The Muskingum County Engineers Office is currently gathering equipment to enact the lane reduction.

Also at the meeting, Davis revisited the idea of placing an issue on the next ballot that failed in May 2014.The issue would add a $5.00 fee to purchasing your license plate. Davis said the money could make a difference in the local area.

“So there’s eight structures a year that we could be building ourselves that we could be replacing if it was to pass,” said Davis.

The County Commissioners declined the issue due to the overwhelming ‘no’ it received in May.