"Unsafe" Crooked Bridge Still Being Used

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va (WUSA) -- This bridge could be right out of a movie, teetering on top of dangerously leaning pillars, daring you cross it.

"It's the crooked bridge, it's a lot more crooked than it use to be," says Loudoun County Supervisor Jim Burton.

Letter carriers won't cross it. The U-P-S delivery man won't cross it.

Darryl Banks, UPS driver says, "It doesn't look safe."

Burton won't cross it.

"No. No thank you. No thank you," says Burton.

The Crooked Bridge was severely damaged during raging floodwaters last year. It crosses the Goose Creek near Route 15 and Lime Kiln Road about seven miles south of Leesburg.

The upstream side of the bridge is about a foot to two feet higher than the downstream side of the bridge. You can see where the force of the water pushed the bridge, and see where it bent an iron brace.

"The pillars have shifted the bridge has shifted, precarious situation," says Burton.

Even though the county put up signs warning that its unsafe for vehicles, some pay no attention.

Tom Spiering doesn't mind crossing it.

"It's no going anywhere," he says.

About 50 people live on the other side of the Goose Greek, and the only way in, is over the Crooked Bridge.

Even Diane Howard, a mother of three, who didn't want to be seen on camera, drives her big SUV over the bridge. with her children.

"We have no other option," says Howard. "People say, why don't you go the other way? We can't. The land owner won't give us permission." She says they can't get fuel delivered or garbage picked up.

Supervisor Burton says the county can't close the bridge because it's private property. But, there's a plan in the works to fix the bridge with or build one with funding from a special tax district. The board of supervisors would have to approve the measure.