The Van Buren Bridge will be limited to vehicles under 12 tons beginning in late March 2021.
Vehicles over the weight limit that are headed east on OR 34 will need to use the detour route.
Detour Route for vehicles over 12 tons. Click image to enlarge.
This is part of a nationwide load rating review of bridges required by the Federal Highway Administration and is unrelated to the bridge replacement project.
Expect changes in downtown Corvallis:
- New striping on the bridge to move traffic to the center of the bridge.
- Some surrounding roads will be restriped to help larger vehicles detour and avoid using the bridge.
- Changes to the intersection at 2nd Street to accommodate the turn radius of freight traffic.
- Signs will be installed to post the weight restriction at the Van Buren Bridge and on nearby side streets.
- A signed detour route directing freight and other large vehicles to use U.S. 20 to reach I-5.
You might be wondering...
Why is the bridge being further weight restricted?
There are two new larger, heavier vehicle types that distribute weight differently on bridges. These, combined with more traffic overall, led to an updated engineering bridge weight review (load rating) of all public bridges in Oregon. This review will determine if weight restrictions are needed and ensure that our bridges can safely carry everyone to their destinations.
Is the bridge still safe to use?
The bridge is safe to use — as long as vehicles crossing the bridge are under the posted weight limits. Bridge weight restrictions are required when an engineering review shows that the structure cannot safely carry standard legal vehicle loads.
What is a standard legal vehicle load?
A standard legal vehicle is any vehicle at or below 40 tons with no single axle over 10 tons and no tandem axle over 17 tons.
Keep in mind, the new weight restriction on the Van Buren Bridge means that the total weight of each vehicle will need to be 12 tons or less.
When was the bridge last reviewed for load rating?
The bridge was last reviewed for weight restriction in 1995, where depending on how many axles the vehicle had, the max weight was 40 tons.
How long will the weight restriction be in place?
Weight restriction will be needed until the bridge is replaced. A project to replace the bridge is underway.
Did you know...
In the 30's and 40's bridges were designed for single axle vehicles weighing 15 tons. The Van Buren Bridge was designed and built for similar loading in 1913, and it can no longer handle the larger vehicles of today.
Is my vehicle under the weight limit?
Below are illustrations of some common vehicles and their average weights.
To make the math easier:
1 ton = 2,000 pounds.
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