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Washington law, RCW 47.48.010, gives counties and cities authority to restrict loads on bridges based on load rating evaluations and other engineering studies.
The majority of Clark County's bridges are 50 to 75 years old and were not designed or built to meet the current demands on the transportation system.
Load restrictions slow the deterioration of bridges, protect the public's investment in transportation infrastructure and provide safe travel across bridges.
Load restrictions consider a truck's weight, in tons, and how that weight is distributed over its axles. In addition, restrictions also can be placed for the height of trucks.
Clark County Public Works coordinates with fire districts in the county so they are aware of load-restricted bridges.
Prior to early 2019, Clark County had four restricted bridges, three of which were for height.
Special hauling vehicles
In November 2013, the Federal Highway Administration issued a directive requiring local agencies to update load ratings on bridges on the National Bridge Inventory.
Updated load ratings were required to consider include new truck configurations, called special hauling vehicles, and heavier emergency response vehicles. Special hauling vehicles have closely spaced multiple axles, typically four to seven axles to a vehicle.
- Examples of special hauling vehicles and emergency vehicles (PDF)
- Presentation for Nov. 5, 2019, council meeting (PDF)
The following are the load restricted bridges:
- Whipple Creek Bridge (Bridge No. 11), built in 1963 on Northwest 179th Street over Whipple Creek.
Restrictions and map showing alternate route (PDF)
This PDF also shows restrictions and alternate routes for Knapps Station Bridge.
- Knapps Station Bridge (No. 12), built in 1962 on Northwest Krieger Road over Knapps Station.
Restrictions and map showing alternate route (PDF)
This PDF also shows restrictions and alternate routes for Whipple Creek Bridge.
- Pleasant Valley Bridge (No. 33) built in 1999 on NE 50th Avenue over Salmon Creek.
Restrictions and map showing alternate route (PDF)
- Carson Bridge (No. 63) built in 1957 on NE 67th Avenue over Mill Creek.
Restrictions and map showing alternate route (PDF)
- Matney South Bridge (No. 169) built in 1930 on NE 232nd Avenue over Matney Creek.
Restrictions and map showing alternate route (PDF)
- Brush Prairie Bridge (No. 201) built in 1960 on NE 156th Street over Salmon Creek.
Restrictions and map showing alternate route (PDF)
- JC Ward Bridge (No. 212) built in 1960 on NE 182nd Avenue over Salmon Creek.
Restrictions and map showing alternate route (PDF)
This PDF also shows restrictions and alternate routes for Venersborg Bridge, Morgan Bridge and for the unnamed bridge on Northeast 167th Street that spans Mudd Creek.
- 172nd Avenue Bridge (No. 229), built in 2009 on 172nd Avenue over China Ditch.
Restrictions and map showing alternate routes (PDF)
- Van Atta Bridge (No. 275) built in 1960 on NE 112th Avenue over Salmon Creek.
Restrictions (PDF)
Load restriction sign before Kepfer Bridge on Northeast J.R. Anderson Road east of La Center.
Clark County Public Works will continue evaluating its bridges to ensure they comply with federal requirements. Any additional load restrictions will be posted on this webpage.
Related information: