Arroyo Grande’s swinging bridge damaged by ‘rambunctious users,’ official says

Arroyo Grande’s popular swinging bridge will remain closed for several weeks as city crews tighten and replace a handful of bolts on the bridge, city public works director Geoff English confirmed Wednesday.

According to English, city staff found several loose or missing nuts and bolts on the suspension bridge during a recent inspection, and decided to close the bridge so repairs could be made. He said the damages were in part due to “rambunctious bridge users.”

“They love to shake the bridge when they are on it, and they love to jump when they are on the bridge,” he said. “It takes a significant amount of impacts.”

English said the city is still uncertain how long the repairs will take because it requires special equipment — though he said it will definitely be re-opened by the time of the city’s annual Strawberry Festival in May. The city did not yet have an estimate of how much repairs will cost.

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 3:31 PM with the headline "Arroyo Grande’s swinging bridge damaged by ‘rambunctious users,’ official says."