The Garysburg Volunteer Fire Department issued an important safety warning on Sunday regarding the ongoing closure of the Weldon Bridge. The department shared the message on its Facebook page after reports that people were moving barricades to cross the bridge over the Roanoke River in Weldon.
“We understand that this is causing disruptions to travel plans, but crossing the bridge is NOT SAFE,” the department said in the post. The issue began when a water main broke before the snowstorm, washing dirt away from under the road. This has made the bridge unstable. While the bridge’s surface seems fine, the underlying structure could collapse under weight.
The fire department urged the public to respect the workers who are addressing the situation and emphasized that repairs are under the responsibility of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). “We don’t know when the bridge will reopen,” the statement continued. “Your safety is our top priority. Please avoid the bridge and use alternate routes, such as Interstate 95 or Gaston.”
The department also reminded travelers to look out for road signs indicating the closure and shared their message, asking for cooperation.
In a related announcement, Northampton County Schools posted a message on Jan. 10 regarding the detour for students and staff. Due to the bridge closure, buses and drivers must take an alternate route to the Northampton County Early College. The detour involves taking US 301 North in Garysburg, turning left onto NC Highway 46 West, and then following it to Interstate 95 South. Drivers will exit at Exit 173 for Weldon/Roanoke Rapids and proceed to Halifax Community College.
