Eroded foundation prompts closure; no boat ramp access
The bridge to the Urbanna Town Marina has been closed to vehicles until further notice, Urbanna Mayor Bill Goldsmith announced this month.
Part of the bridge’s foundation washed out just before the Urbanna Oyster Festival and the town patched it temporarily.
As a result, Town Administrator Ted Costin was directed to start lining up engineers to evaluate the bridge. “Their consensus was that it was increasingly unsafe for vehicles,” said Mayor Goldsmith recently. A barrier is set up across Oyster Road at the bridge and a town truck is parked to block motor vehicles.
With the bridge closed, there is no access to launch at the town’s boat ramp at the marina.
The bridge can be used by pedestrians, and was scheduled to be evaluated for golf cart use, said Mayor Goldsmith. Vehicles can be parked behind the Urbanna Museum and Visitor’s Center and marina boat owners can walk to their boats.
“The bridge had already moved up to the top priority as soon as the town hall location was resolved; and the engineer’s evaluation is what prompted the closure. We thought we were going to be able to move in a more deliberate fashion, but now we are working on an ASAP pace for short and long term options,” said Mayor Goldsmith.
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