The S.R. 508 South Fork Newaukum River bridge in Onalaska currently has a 7-ton weight limit after inspectors found significant rust and corrosion last year. The earliest the bridge can be replaced is 2018 based on available state and federal funds.
More heavy trucks are beginning to obey the 7-ton weight limit on the state Route 508 South Fork Newaukum River Bridge near Onalaska since warning signs went up earlier this summer, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
WSDOT gathered 15 hours of video footage this month that showed no heavy trucks over the 7-ton weight limit crossed the Newaukum River Bridge.
“We didn’t see a lot of change to the traffic counts,” WSDOT spokeswoman Abbi Russell said. “However, we recorded more video footage and we didn’t see any heavy trucks crossing.”
The findings are an improvement compared to three hours of video recorded in June that showed five overweight trucks crossing the bridge.
“The video doesn’t lie,” Russell said. “Not seeing these trucks tells us these signs have been effective.”
WSDOT put the 7-ton weight limit on the bridge last year after a routine inspection found significant rust eroding the structure. The bridge closed from June 21 to July 2 last year for repairs.
Fewer overweight trucks traveling on the road is a positive sign, Russell said, because if heavy vehicles keep using the bridge, it will have to be closed and eventually replaced.
Based on available funding, the earliest construction on a replacement bridge could begin is in 2017.
The weight limit and signs will remain indefinitely for the 83-year-old bridge.
The bridge will continue to be inspected once a month. The WSDOT will collect more video and traffic counts after Labor Day to see what traffic patterns are like in the fall.
“We observed a lot of RVs using the bridge this summer,” Russell said. “While many of them are light enough to cross, we want to see if traffic patterns change once the peak recreational season is over.”
If drivers are caught crossing the bridge with an oversized load, they could receive a fine between $300 and $500, according to the Washington State Patrol.
