The city has altered its repair plan for the Dixie Street bridge that leads to the Chaloner Recreation Center.

Roanoke Rapids City Manager Kelly Traynham told the council Tuesday that the plan is the most economical and could extend the life of the bridge for another 20 to 25 years.

The plan was reviewed by three contractors and involves replacing the superstructure and adding an eighth joist, which she said will help boost the weight limit to 10 tons. The weight limit of the bridge had been reduced from 8 tons to 5 tons, barring trucks and buses from crossing the bridge over Chockoyotte Creek.

A Wilmington bridge contractor provided a lump-sum quote of $85,000 for the project, which would require up to two weeks of work. “While it may increase the cost by almost $20,000, they think this will help to actually increase the weight load of the bridge and then give it another lifespan of about 20 to 25 years.”

The project is not in this year’s budget. To proceed, the council will need to consider a budget amendment at a future meeting.

NCDOT has stated that the superstructure is in poor condition and there are moderately wide cracks scattered throughout the abutments, along with excessive decay throughout the End Bent 1 cap. There is also an area of decay in Beam 1 at Span 2, and multiple cracks were observed in the beams.