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Inspectors assess damage to bridges hit by flooding

By Kristin Leigh
By Kristin Leigh

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — State inspectors are assessing bridges that flooded as Hurricane Florence devastated North Carolina, but the North Carolina Department of Transportation says it's too early to provide a timeline for repairs.

Channel 9 found inspectors at bridges in Cabarrus County Tuesday who said they've worked 50 hours in four days.

In some cases, bridges are opened immediately after inspection, if road workers determine they're safe. But officials are asking drivers to be patient with bridges that were damaged by floodwaters and remain closed.

Congressman Richard Hudson is touring damage in his district, which includes Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly and Cumberland counties, among others.

"If a bridge had flooding under that bridge, it's not safe," Hudson told Channel 9. "People shouldn't walk or drive on those bridges."

Prior to the storm, 14 percent of bridges in North Carolina were considered "structurally deficient," which means they need continual maintenance or they need to be replaced.

With parts of I-40 and I-95, two main arteries of North Carolina, and other secondary roads underwater, the percentage of bridges in disrepair will likely rise.

Hudson said the state may qualify for federal aid, which will help get roads and bridges back in order.

"I talked to the governor last night about this," Hudson said. "I said, ‘We need hard numbers. We need real numbers, so we're not just talking about guesses and assessments. I want to know what the real needs are.’"

The need is widespread, but NCDOT spokesperson Steve Abbott said Charlotte-area roads will not compete for attention with those in eastern North Carolina.

"There is no statewide priority list, so repairs in different parts of the state aren't competing with each other to get completed," Abbott said in an email to Channel 9.

Abbott said the state is divided into 14 geographical divisions that handle inspections independently.

"The roads that get the highest priority are interstates, and that currently only involves sections of I-95 and I-40, and those respective divisions will handle the inspections and repairs," Abbott said.

NCDOT confirmed that Gov. Roy Cooper's request for federal disaster relief last week, if approved, would include money for infrastructure repairs, including those for bridges and roads.

A regional spokesperson for NCDOT in Charlotte said it's too soon to offer a timeline for repairs because inspectors are still assessing damage.

After inspecting the bridge on Mt. Pleasant Road between Carriker Road and Joyner Road in Midland, inspectors decided it should remain closed.

They told Channel 9 the bridge needed repairs and was too dangerous for drivers.

Drivers, frustrated with detours, are ignoring signs warning them of hazardous roadways.

Eyewitness News Reporter Kristin Leigh watched as several drivers moved the "Road Closed" signs on Mt. Pleasant Road Tuesday, even after she told them inspectors found dangerous conditions.

Resident Keith, who asked Leigh not to publish his last name, said he's watched drivers move the signs and cross the bridge since it flooded this weekend.

"I just don't want anyone to get hurt," Keith said before eventually moving the road closure signs back in place. "But people are going to do what they want to do."

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