Highway Patrol keeping an eye on Hwy. 25/70 bridge in Cocke Co.

Highway Patrol keeping an eye on Hwy. 25/70 bridge in Cocke Co.

By KRISTYN CADDELL
6 News Reporter

COCKE COUNTY (WATE) -- There's more fallout from the rock slide blocking Interstate 40 near the Tennessee - North Carolina line.

Crews shut down a portion of I-40, detouring traffic to other routes. Now, authorities say traffic along the 25/70 Bridge in Cocke County has doubled.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) also says there have been some trucks crossing the bridge that shouldn't be because they're too big. They believe one truck even struck the bridge.

Because of the incidents, state troopers are now stationed a couple of miles before the bridge at each end. Their goal is to make sure no large trucks go across.

TDOT says the bridge is in poor condition and it's deteriorating. The problem is, it has a 10 ton weight limit, but there have been too many large trucks driving across it.

Officials also want to point out, the bridge is safe for all other vehicles and if it wasn't, it would be closed.

Crews are building a new bridge. It's expected to be complete by next spring. That's when the current the 25/70 Bridge will close.

If truckers ignore the signs and officers and cross the bridge, they'll be cited.

Highway patrol cruisers will monitor the bridge around the clock for the duration of the I-40 closure.

TDOT says after the truck hit the bridge, officials did some tests and determined there was no structural damage.