News2023.01.31 12:14

Bridge collapses in central Lithuanian town

LRT.lt, BNS 2023.01.31 12:14

Part of a bridge collapsed in Kėdainiai, central Lithuania, on Tuesday morning. No casualties have been reported. 

The bridge across the Nevėžis River on Tilto Street is the main bridge leading into the town of around 23,000 people.

The Fire and Rescue Department said the report on the accident was received at 07:40 and the forces arrived at the scene at 07:49.

The bridge girder had collapsed. There were no casualties, according to initial data. Traffic was immediately closed.

“One beam has collapsed. The Road Service and the police are working on the spot, and our forces have already left,” said the Fire and Rescue Department spokesman.

“It is not the first year that we have addressed the Road Administration to inform them that the bridges in Kėdainiai are not safe. Today’s situation has only confirmed this,” Kėdainiai Municipality Administration director Arūnas Kacevičius said.

He said that traffic was diverted to the bridge on Tilto Street while another bridge was under reconstruction.

“I have personally said on more than one occasion that it is this bridge that poses the greater danger,” said Kacevičius.

While pedestrians will be able to cross the Nevėžis River, cars will have to go around the town, he added.

“Thank God we avoided any casualties,” Kacevičius said.

According to the Lithuanian Road Administration, the bridge was assessed as being in poor condition and subject to a weight restriction of up to 20 tonnes.

The bridge was awaiting reconstruction, with engineering contracts signed last December.

The bridge was last inspected last week, the Lithuanian Road Administration said.

While the causes of the collapse will be investigated, the authorities said one of the possible reasons could be exceeded weight limits.

Another bridge over the Nevėžis River near Vilainiai was closed for reconstruction last year, leading to significant increases in traffic over the bridge on Tilto Street.

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