|
One year ago, we posted a 12 ton weight restriction on the Van Buren Bridge, but overweight vehicles are still using it.
The week of March 14 we are starting a weight restriction enforcement effort. Vehicles that are violating the 12 ton weight restriction will be fined. The fine could end up being significant, because it's based on a scale of how much the vehicle weighs over the posted limit.
We hope this effort will bring awareness and change driver behavior.
We're doing this not only to address the safety concerns caused by vehicles over the weight limit, but also to help preserve the pavement quality. Heavy vehicles cause additional stress to the pavement and speed up the deterioration process. The pavement is already in poor condition and we need to make it last until the bridge can be replaced.
For some context, most paving equipment weighs over 12 tons – so finding options to repave the bridge is an issue and we need to make the current pavement last.
We have a signed detour route for vehicles headed east on OR 34 that are over the weight of 12 tons. The detour route will be in place until construction begins on the project to replace the bridge, which we estimate starting in 2023.
|
Click to enlarge detour map.
We use the "T" icon on TripCheck to highlight restrictions and information for the freight industry. You will see this icon on ODOT owned bridges that are weight restricted.
Although this icon is used for the trucking industry, bridge weight restrictions apply to all vehicles using the roadway. The weight restriction on the Van Buren Bridge means that the total weight of each vehicle needs to be 12 tons or less.
If you're driving a heavy vehicle and using TripCheck to plan ahead, watch for this icon – it could mean a weight, width or height restriction on this route.
You might be wondering...
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.
Why was this bridge originally weight restricted?
The Van Buren Bridge was designed and built for smaller single axle vehicles in 1913, and can no longer handle the larger vehicles of today.
This graphic shows what the bridge was originally designed for compared to more modern heavy vehicles.
Click to enlarge the truck comparison graphic.
|
