BEIRUT: Starting Wednesday morning trucks will be banned from crossing the Jal al-Dib overpass in east Beirut following reports that the bridge faces the risk of collapse.

Signs indicating heavy motor vehicles are barred from crossing the nearly 40-year-old metal bridge were erected along the motorway leading to the overpass earlier Wednesday.

The police said Tuesday they would begin limiting traffic on the Jal al-Dib bridge.

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said Tuesday that he had ordered the ministry to take the necessary precautions concerning the bridge, adding that passage of trucks was strictly prohibited.

His comments came following SMS and social media messages circulated in the country Tuesday warning commuters to avoid using the bridge, which was built shortly after the start of the Civil War in 1975.

“The decision has been taken to remove the bridge as soon as possible to avoid any disaster and to help the flow of traffic,” the interior minister said.

However, Charbel said that engineers from the Council of Development and Reconstruction reported the bridge was stable and that drivers need not fear using the structure.

Earlier Tuesday, Public Works and Transportation Minister Ghazi Aridi urged the government and the Council of Development and Reconstruction to dismantle the Jal al-Dib bridge, which is mid-way between Dora and Antelias.