Last week’s windstorm damaged the stringers on the swinging footbridge over the James River in Buchanan and prompted the Virginia Department of Highways (VDOT) to close the bridge temporarily.

VDOT spokesperson Jason Bond said the bridge will be closed until as late as early Aprile while the bridge is being repaired.

The stringers, a wood component of the floor and side rail system on the cable suspension bridge, have to be fabricated out of select material and are custom made. VDOT began looking for a fabricator last week and believe they found one who can make the stringers in a couple of weeks.

VDOT estimated the damage about $5,000.