EAGLE COUNTY, Colo. (KKTV) – Heavier vehicles are now going to have to reroute, as Colorado Department of Transportation prepares to implement new weight restrictions on an iconic state bridge.
The 85-year-old Red Cliff bridge in Eagle County spans nearly 150 meters across Highway 24, just outside its namesake town and 16 miles southwest of Vail. The bridge was built in 1940 and is one of the crown jewels of the national scenic byway Top of the Rockies. It’s one of only two steel arch bridges in the entire state and is a registered National Historic Landmark.
But the bridge is showing its age, and in 2020, CDOT says an inspection revealed some of the steel was beginning to thin. This prompted a more detailed analysis in 2022.
“The thinning steel, combined with the age of the structure, has led to the proactive implementation of new load restrictions for large commercial motor vehicles carrying atypically heavy loads crossing the bridge,” CDOT said Monday.
Starting in late August, large commercial motor vehicles carrying over 34 or 37 tons — depending on classification and axles — will be prohibited from crossing the bridge.
“There are no safety concerns for passenger vehicles or commercial trucks carrying typical loads,” CDOT said. “… The reduced load limit is expected to affect only a small number of larger trucks crossing the U.S. 24 bridge.”
The department said it intends for the measure to be temporary, though they did not offer any sort of time frame.
“These prudent load restrictions are intended to extend the bridge’s lifespan while CDOT plans for a rehabilitation project with the goal of removing the load restriction in the future,” it said.
For those trucks impacted by the new weight restrictions, CDOT suggested the following detours.
“Depending on the starting and destination, commercial motor vehicles carrying atypically heavy loads will be rerouted to alternate routes on US 24, CO 91, and I-70.”
CDOT said there will be signs approaching the bridge to let truckers know about the new restrictions.
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