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(KMOV) - A 90-year-old bridge connecting Fenton and Sunset Hills in St. Louis County has been shut down for safety precautions after the disastrous collapse of a large bridge in Minnesota over the Mississippi River.    

Gravois Bridge over the Meramec River

The old Gravois Bridge over the Meramec River has been deteriorating for decades.  County officials have been gradually reducing the load limit all the way down to three tons, about as much as a Cadillac Escalade with a full tank. 

However, Garry Earls, director of highways and traffic for the county, said too many cars weighing too much were still crossing the bridge.  And after the incident in Minnesota, County officials immediately closed the bridge. 

“There’s so much corrosion and loss of structural integrity in the bridge,” said Earls, “that we’re concerned it will not carry a reasonable load of vehicles.”

He said it probably should have been closed sooner, and also admitted that the bridge collapse in Minnesota prompted him to check all bridges in St. Louis County. 

It may be a significant amount of time before the bridge is reopened.