An accident with a dumpster truck Thursday damaged the historic Devils Elbow Bridge in the Route 66 community of Devils Elbow, Missouri.
Pulaski County Presiding Commissioner Gene Newkirk told the Waynesville Daily Guide the county now will impose a 3,000-pound weight limit on the bridge and allow only cars to cross it.
In a comment thread about the story on Facebook, Newkirk also said:
The person that hit the bridge was heartbroken and called me and said I just hit the bridge and damaged it. A report was taken and we will fix it. Thank you for being honest.
Local resident Jax Welborn posted photos from the scene to document the bridge damage:
Locals decorated the bridge for Christmas just a few days ago. They appealed for donations and equipment for the bridge’s decor after a record flood last spring washed away the lights and other holiday-themed garlands in storage. Although the flood devastated much of Devils Elbow (including the Elbow Inn bar and restaurant), the bridge emerged from the disaster unscathed.
The truss bridge, built in 1923 along what became an original alignment of Route 66 and the Big Piney River, sits near the Elbow Inn. The bridge was rehabilitated in 2014.
(Image of damage to the Devils Elbow Bridge by Waynesville Daily Guide via Facebook)
That driver is going to need protection.
Darn it! Devil’s Elbow can’t seem to catch a break this year! Please pray 2018 is a better year for both the community and those who live there!
Pray for the Devil.