Transportation officials are denying a rumor that’s had significant traction over the last couple of days.  We spoke with Mary Joe Oie of the Nebraska Department of Roads.

Yes, a railroad contractor did ignore specific instructions and cross the Rulo, Nebraska bridge Thursday with a heavy construction crane.  No, the bridge was NOT damaged…

Over the weekend officials with the Nebraska Department of Roads checked out the bridge.  A contractor working on some railroad repair work had crossed the bridge Thursday night with some very heavy cranes.  NDOR engineers along with the consulting engineering firm HDR in Omaha, Nebraska inspected the bridge and found no damage.

Mary Joe Oie of NDOR says they’ve discussed the matter with the contractor, who has promised not to use the bridge for heavy equipment.  Oie says the company was specifically told not to use the bridge, but crossed it on Thursday night.

The bridge has been closed for several weeks because the highway leading to it is under water.  Missouri River flooding has slowed down, but not stopped construction of a new Rulo bridge, which is still slated for completion in 2013.