From staff reports

A mechanical problem shut down the Camden Causeway Bridge for more than an hour Friday.

Staff Photos by Justin Falls (ENLARGE)

North Carolina Highway Patrol troopers direct eastbound traffic into one lane of the westbound Camden Causeway Bridge in Elizabeth City, Friday afternoon. State Department of Transportation officials said the eastbound bridge malfunctioned, forcing the temporary closure of the eastbound bridge.

The drawbridge spans the Pasquotank River, connecting Pasquotank and Camden counties along U.S. Highway 158. It was closed for an hour and a half to two hours early Friday afternoon, leading to a buildup of traffic along Water and Elizabeth Streets in downtown Elizabeth City.

"There was a problem with the structure itself," said John Abel, N.C. Department of Transportation bridge maintenance engineer. "It wouldn't close down properly."

Abel said the switches which control the bridge had to be manually overridden. Once that was complete, normal traffic flow across the bridge resumed about 2 p.m.

Once traffic cleared, Abel said the bridge was then opened to make sure it worked properly. He said the mechanical problem has been resolved.