BATON ROUGE - Engineers closed an East Baton Rouge Parish bridge over the Baker Canal Monday after they said a structural timber had rotted out.

The Department of Transportation and Development ordered the Old Baker - Zachary Road Bridge over the canal closed. The city-parish said it stay closed until further notice.

Engineers said the bridge was built back in 1960 and had been inspected over the past week before the decision came down to close it.

Until the bridge is reopened drivers can use an alternate route from Scotlandville - Zachary Highway (LA 19) to New Weis Road.

Anyone with questions about the bridge closure should call the Engineering Division Bridge Engineer at (225) 389-3186.