The celebration was short-lived.

When the bridge at Clark and Washington streets opened on Feb. 13 after more than three years of being out, marching bands accompanied smiling politicians in a celebration of reconnecting Vicksburg’s main north-south corridor from Interstate 20 into downtown.

Two weeks later, city officials declared a state of emergency when cracks were found in a retaining wall just south of the bridge. The problem, city officials said, was not with the bridge structure, which is comforting since nearly $9 million was spent to replace the 1929 structure with a bridge over a railroad tunnel.

City workers discovered the crack in the retaining wall while repairing a waterline leak. Crews “apparently saw the wall move when heavy trucks went by,” interim public works director Garnet Van Norman said. Thankfully, the problem was discovered early.

The main concern is the safety of the residents and visitors who use that bridge. Cars are still permitted to cross the span, but vehicles weighing more than 26,001 pounds, or 13 tons and 16 ounces, must detour. The cracks in the wall will cause an inconvenience to residents and businesses along the affected area.

The more pressing issue is getting it fixed as quickly and efficiently as possible. IMS, a Jackson engineering firm hired on a 2-1 vote by the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen, was set to take soil samples and advise the city on steps to repair it. The roadbed south of the bridge also will be tested, Mayor Paul Winfield said.

South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman voted against hiring IMS, saying instead he preferred city engineers to recommend the hiring, not the board. But the decision was made — we hope wisely.

The people of Vicksburg waited many years for that bridge to reopen. Having such pomp for a 315-foot bridge might have been a bit much, but it was an important step in reconnecting Vicksburg. To those living and working nearby, it was the end of three years of hassle.

Now it is up to the engineers to diagnose the problem, then apply the appropriate fix. We are confident it will not take three years to repair this latest emergency.

But let’s also make sure not to dangle our feet while pointing fingers.