Restricted bridges

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Sign for load-restricted bridge.

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. 

The following are the load restricted bridges:

Load restriction sign before Kepfer Bridge on Northeast J.R. Anderson Road.

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: