Closure of second bridge draws concern

Jefferson County commissioners have decided to close a bridge damaged in Hurricane Ike because they say it's dangerous.

Commissioners called an emergency meeting Wednesday and decided to close the Humble Camp Road bridge.

In September, another bridge over Hillebrandt Bayou was closed for reconstruction.

People who live in the area say the closure of two bridges will force them to take long detours. They also worry about what will happen if they call for help in an emergency.

The final few vehicles traveled across Humble Camp Road bridge Wednesday. None will follow for at least ten months.

“It's bad enough when they close one bridge," said John Harrington. "Now they're gonna put this one closed, too. Now I gotta go all the way around.”

Every day, John Harrington and hundreds of people travel across the Humble Camp Road bridge over Hillebrandt Bayou. 

They used to travel on the bridge along Hillebrandt Road, but that bridge could be closed for a year while it's rebuilt.

“This here, I don't know what I’m gonna do,” said Harrington.

Harrington owns a garbage collection company. His family has served this area since the 1970's. He says the detour to West Port Arthur Road will add 30 minutes each way to his route.

“I hate going up on gas and prices, but gotta do something,” said Harrington.

“Several pylons failed at 100 percent, deteriorated, rotted, whatever, not able to support the weight of the bridge,” said Ronnie Richard.

Richard says a pylon slipping off the bridge is one of several reasons this bridge needs to be immediately shut down.

Jefferson County commissioners held an emergency meeting and voted unanimously to close the bridge because they say it's unsafe.

“It's something that just happened and I'm happy we found it out by inspection and not by an incident where someone was killed,” said Commissioner Everette Bo Alfred.

Commissioner Everette Bo Alfred says closing the bridge is a temporary inconvenience and the safety of drivers should come first.

“I would not want anyone's loved ones injured on what I call an imprudent decision,” said Alfred.

The Humble Camp Road bridge is one of several in Jefferson County scheduled to be replaced because of damage from Hurricane Ike.

Commissioner Mark Domingue says the county will ask the Governor's Office to speed up funding to replace the bridge.