States Urged to Take Caution on Bridge Weight Loads

In the wake of last week's bridge collapse in Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is cautioning states to consider the additional weight caused by repair and construction projects when assessing weight stress on bridges. A DOT Press Release states that DOT Secretary Mary E. Peters "has directed the Federal Highway Administration to issue guidance to all state transportation agencies and bridge owners strongly advising they ensure that the weight of construction equipment and stockpiled raw materials in place for current or future construction work not exceed the load limit for the bridge." An 18-person construction crew was working on the Highway 35 bridge near Minneapolis and St. Paul at the time of the August 1st collapse.

• U.S. Department of Transportation Press Release
• AP News: States Urged to Watch Bridge Loads
• U.S. Road Bridge Conditions: U.S. | State by State (from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics)