Electrical glitch hinders Craig bridge operation

4/27/2001

An undetermined electrical problem disabled the Craig Memorial Bridge early yesterday for the fourth time in less than a month, but traffic disruption from the predawn breakdown was minimal.

The I-280 span over the Maumee River was closed to traffic for nearly two hours, starting at 3:15 a.m., when a braking mechanism on one of its draw spans failed to release after the bridge was opened for a ship, said Joe Rutherford, an Ohio Department of Transportation spokesman.

Workers cranked the bridge to a closed position and reopened it shortly after 5 a.m., Mr. Rutherford said.

The bridge opened at least twice for ships later in the day, and electricians were stationed at the bridge as a precaution against further problems, the spokesman said, but no more breakdowns occurred.