Severe Weather Explainer: When would bridges in the greater Savannah area be shut down?
Several factors go into determining when to close a bridge in the event of severe weather.
Several factors go into determining when to close a bridge in the event of severe weather.
Several factors go into determining when to close a bridge in the event of severe weather.
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Severe weather in the greater Savannah area can sometimes lead to bridges being shut down.
But what goes into that decision making?
Officials with the Georgia Department of Transportation say they look at storm surge and rising water levels.
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"We can't see what is in the current, the speed of the current and what type of material could hit the bridge and damage the bridge," said Jill Nagel, GDOT district communications officer.
They also look at wind speed to determine whether to close the tallest bridges in the area, the Talmadge Bridge in Savannah and the Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick.
Nagel said gale force winds (39 to 45 mph) would cause the bridges to be closed, for the safety of drivers. But the bridges themselves would not be impacted.
"These bridges are built to withstand over 300 mile per hour winds," Nagel said.
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