POLICE are talking to a truck owner after a heavy vehicle left authorities with no choice but to close an historic Upper Hunter bridge.
Hunter Valley Police District said officers were investigating the circumstances of an oversize vehicle causing significant damage to the Allan bridge, between Segenhoe and Glenbawn, on Tuesday.
"Police have located and spoken to the driver involved and further action is pending," police said in a statement.
Upper Hunter Shire Council said the bridge was closed until further notice, noting the damage had occurred when a vehicle "over the load limit" crossed the bridge "despite signage being displayed".
Staff inspected the site on Tuesday afternoon.
Of the five timber heritage bridges in the Upper Hunter Shire, Allan bridge is considered the most significant.
It is a unique structure as it is one of two known Trussed Cable Suspension bridges in NSW capable of carrying road traffic.
It is also no stranger to sustaining damage from vehicle, with structural checks required in 2016.
Constructed in 1937, the Allan Bridge was washed away in 1955 and reconstructed at a site further downstream.
A major upgrade to the bridge supports and abutments was undertaken in February 2015, and the latest repairs and maintenance occurred in June 2016.
