Lone Wolf Bridge Listed Deficient

Texas Department of Transportation officials have released a list of deficient bridges across the state. One of those bridges is San Angelo's historic "Lone Wolf" bridge. Jennifer Jackson talked with an expert about what that means.
   The Lone Wolf Bridge on East Ave. K was first constructed out of wood back in the 1800's. By 1922 city officials re-constructed the bridge to better accommodate the flow of traffic. Nearly 90 years later, and the bridge is still used by 25-hundred motorist a day. ---NATS: Car on bridge Recently the Texas Department of Transportation released a list of bridges rating deficient.
   In the San Angelo area we have six bridges that considered structurally deficient. Says Gary Enos, TxDot Engineer.
  On a scale 0-to-100 the Lone Wolf Bridge rates at 25. But TxDot officials say just because a bridge is listed as deficient--that doesn't mean the bridge is unsafe for travel. This bridge is still safe, as long as people observe the weight limit. This is 12-thousand pounds. A deficient bridge is one that is eligible for funding. It's just a category to separate the deficient for the non-deficient. In terms if we can get federal funding to replace it or repair it. Says Enos.
  The list also included ten other Bridges in the Concho Valley as deficient...with the Lone Wolf Bridge rating the lowest. Leaving some to wonder just how low does a bridge have to rate before it's shut down?
   A lot of factors going to a complex formula, considering all aspects of the bridge, including the traffic that goes over it. We close the bridge to all traffic, at about an 8-thousand pound loading. If we calculating that it could carry 8-thousand pounds safely then we would close it to traffic. Says Enos.
    The Lone Wolf Bridge will eventually be converted to a pedestrain-only use...but that is pending reinstatement of funding that was lost due to the war efforts. JJKLST NEWS.