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 more than 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.

Local changed postings include:

Cumberland County

• Route 600, Stoney Point Road at the Big Guinea River newly posted at 25 tons

Buckingham County

• Route 602, Howardsville Road at Walton Fork newly posted at 26 tons

• Route 623, Chellowe Road at Whispering Creek newly posted at 27 tons

• Route 628, High Rock Road at Little Buffalo Creek newly posted at 27 tons

• Route 641, Garrett Mill Road at Pitman Creek newly posted at 25 tons

• Route 717, Randolph Creek Road at Randolph Creek now posted at 19 tons (old posting was 24 tons)

• Route 721, Sharps Creek Road at Sharps Creek now posted at 19 tons (old posting was 22 tons)

Prince Edward County

• Route 620, Scuffletown Road at Little Saylers Creek now posted at 19 tons (old posting was 21 tons)

• Route 647, Rice Creek Road at Rice Creek now posted at 21 tons (old posting was 25 tons)

• Route 652, Harris Creek Road at Harris Creek newly posted at 27 tons

• Route 661, Nursery Road at North Fork Spring Creek now posted at 22 tons (old posting was 24 tons)

• Route 665, Worsham Road at Briery Creek now posted at 19 tons (old posting was 27 tons)

• Route 713, Corner Road at Snail Creek now posted at 19 tons (old posting was 23 tons)

“One thing I do want to stress is that it’s a safety thing,” said Scott Frederick, resident engineer for the Farmville residency of VDOT. “If we didn’t have to do it we wouldn’t do it, but when the bridges were designed the vehicles were a little bit different, so it’s a matter of public safety.”

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.