Philo Duncan Falls Bridge Temporarily Closed

A major bridge in Muskingum County that’s currently undergoing repairs is expected to remain closed for the next 14 to 21 days.

The Philo Duncan Falls Bridge located at Lock and Dam #9 closed to traffic on Tuesday, October 14. The bridge typically sees about 1,200 to 1,300 cars each day. Robert Heady, Design Engineer for the Muskingum County Engineers Office told us about the repairs the bridge has been needing.

"Due to the age of the bridge. It was originally built in 1954, it’s continued to age. The swing spans are in the worst condition. It originally had an open grate metal deck, which allowed all the salt and everything to drop onto the beams and stringers. So they’re a little bit farther ahead rusting than the rest of the bridge. In 78 they put the deck on to what it is now, however it doesn’t stop all the moisture either so, our biggest concern on the bridge is the swing span however the rest of the bridge is aging."

Alternate bridges to cross include the Gaysport Bridge which is about 10 miles down the road. And the Grant Cliff Bridge in south Zanesville. An increase in the drivers license fee was placed on the ballot in November of 2013 to help fund the project but was voted down. Heady told us the current standings of the financial situation.

"The funding for replacement, all these repairs are just forced to come out of our standard operating budget out of our bridge funds for gas tax. Replacement funding, we’ve secured 5 million dollars through the county engineers association local bridge program which is federal funds administered by the county engineers association. Those funds will be used for construction and we have to pay 20% of that, so a million dollars is still responsible. "

Other options are being explored as to where the rest of the funding will come from.