WHEELING — A charter bus far in excess of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge’s weight limit caused police to close the span Saturday evening.

The Coach USA – Lenzer bus crossed the bridge around 6:45 p.m. Saturday, necessitating the closure of the bridge due to far exceeding the bridge’s 2-ton weight limit. Information provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation indicate that a loaded bus of that size may weigh up to 20 tons.

Wheeling Police Department spokesman said the driver of the bus was cited for the overweight vehicle and failure to obey a traffic control device.

The bridge has long been plagued by closures due to overweight vehicles crossing. In 2016, Wheeling police led an information campaign to advise residents of a heavyweight fine of up to $1,600 and possible impoundment for violating the beidge’s weight limit. The bridge is also occasionally closed due to accidents.

By around 7:20 p.m., the bus had been removed from the bridge while police erected barricades to prevent travel by vehicle.

Pedestrian and bicycle traffic was still permitted through the evening.

The bridge will remain closed until an inspector can ensure the bridge is structurally sound. Stahl said the West Virginia Division of Highways is sending a bridge inspection crew to check the span, and that they will make the determination on when the bridge should reopen.