The Bull Church Road bridge in Caroline County has a new weight restriction, which will keep school buses, big trucks and tractor-trailers from using it, the Virginia Department of Transportation has announced.

The bridge's structural steel was found to be deteriorated during a recent annual inspection, according to VDOT spokeswoman Kelly Hannon. The bridge is rated as structurally deficient.

The previous weight limit for the bridge on State Route 633 was 11 tons; the new limit is 3 tons.

Hannon said most passenger vehicles should be able to use the bridge. Those vehicles that can't cross the bridge will need to take detoured routes. VDOT suggests U.S. 1, Cedon Road and Ladysmith Road.

The bridge, built in 1935, also will be restricted to one lane.

Stop signs are posted on either end of the bridge to control traffic flow. VDOT has also posted signs near the bridge alerting drivers to the new weight restrictions.

The bridge is in line to be replaced, but not anytime soon. The $1.3 million project is currently in the design phase. The project could start in 2014 and will likely take a year to complete.

Hannon said VDOT is trying to get the project moving faster.

An average of 322 vehicles use the bridge each day, according to VDOT figures.

--Scott Shenk