Bridge in Royalton to remain closed through April

ROYALTON — The Royalton Hill Bridge, also known as the Foxstand Bridge, will remain closed at least through April as state officials determine next steps, according to the town administrator.

The bridge, which spans the White River between Royalton Hill Road and Route 14 near Exit 3 on Interstate 89, was first closed April 9 after a Vermont Agency of Transportation contractor, during a bridge inspection, identified “a significant concern with a gusset plate,” used to connect a bridge joint.

“We do understand that it is a burden to navigate around this closure,” Town Administrator Victoria Paquin wrote in an April 11 post to the town website.

The April 9 inspection was part of a long-term VTrans plan to either repair or replace the bridge, Paquin wrote. The inspection found several areas of rust degradation, including the gusset plate, so that the contractor was unable to complete the inspection in one day as planned. They are expected to return on Thursday, April 18 to complete the inspection.

Following that inspection, officials are expected to determine a load limit for the bridge. The bridge is expected to remain closed at least through the end of April, depending on the results of the inspection and the load rating.