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Many bridges across multiple counties are seeing a change in their weight limit signs after a statewide evaluation by Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

According to an information brief by Christopher Williams, assistant division administrator for the Structure and Bridge Division in VDOT’s central office in Richmond, the changes are primarily a result of the advancement of modern day vehicles that have been developed to carry heavier legal loads. These vehicles include freight vehicles/special hauling vehicles (SHV), as well as emergency vehicles (EV).

The brief cites that over 21,000 bridges are scattered across the commonwealth, ranging in age from 100 years old to less than one year old. VDOT modified its bridge design practices in 2007 as a result of SHVs becoming more widespread. However, the dramatic age range in bridges means that the majority of Virginia’s bridges were built before this design standard was updated. Many SHVs can have anywhere between four-seven axles and even some EVs like firetrucks are three-axle vehicles, meaning that these bridges are seeing increasingly heavy loads that they were not necessarily intended for.

As a result, VDOT has evaluated local bridges for SHVs and EVs. A number of bridges have received changes in their previous posted weight limits or have had signs posted where no weight limit was posted before.

The brief advises that there  may be some industry impacts as a result of these new postings, and that SHV and EV drivers may need to revise routes in order to avoid structures/bridges with new or updated weight restrictions.

“Some affected structures may already be in VDOT’s State of Good Repair program,” the brief advises, “which means they would qualify for funding to complete upgrades. For those that are not in that program, it will be determined if something can be done to reduce impacts.”

The brief also states that VDOT is working to develop a GIS tool called “Truck Web” that will allow industry partners to identify any issues along routes and determine an alternative route if needed. When launched, Truck Web will be housed on VDOT’s external website, although a go-live date has not yet been announced. VDOT districts are also communicating with local stakeholders about specific impacts.

Signs that drivers should look out for will require them to distinguish their weight limit by axle count and gross vehicle weight. When determining which category a vehicle falls under, movable axle configurations apply only if the axle is lowered. For example, a truck with four lowered axles and two raised axles must abide by the weight restrictions for four-axle trucks, according to the information brief.

Changed Charlotte County postings include:

• Route 637, Sylvan Hill Road at Reynolds Creek now posted at 19 tons (old posting was 24 tons)
• Route 651, McGehee Road at East Fork Roanoke Creek newly posted at 27 tons
• Route 661, Wards Fork Road at Wards Fork Creek newly posted at 27 tons
• Route 693, Terrell Road at Branch of Turnip Creek now posted at 24 tons (old posting was 27 tons)
• Route 701, Thortons Mill Road at Cub Creek now posted at 19 tons (old posting was 23 tons)

Drivers can view a reference sheet that provides details about weight restrictions, vehicle types and examples of signs and how they should be applied by logging onto www. dmv.virginia.gov/commercial.