MnDOT restricting loads on Stillwater lift bridge

• Stillwater Lift Bridge

Stillwater Lift Bridge

Talk about it

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation has temporarily reduced the weight of loads that can access the Highway 36 Stillwater Lift Bridge following the latest inspection of the bridge.

MnDOT inspectors found a few components of the bridge had significant corrosion, which affects the bridge’s load-carrying capability. The change in the load rating will reduce the weight of trucks and other heavy loads that can cross the bridge until repairs can be made.

The temporary posting will reduce the legal load limits as follows:

--Single truck, from 28 tons to 24 tons

--Semi-truck, from 40 tons to 28 tons

--Trailer truck, from 40 tons to 28 tons

“Although the bridge can safely handle day to day traffic, heavy loads will wear the bridge out more quickly,” said MnDOT state bridge engineer Nancy Daubenberger. “Restricting the loads before and during the repairs will help prevent damage to the bridge.”

MnDOT bridge maintenance crews will begin work on the bridge later this week, and repairs should take one week to 10 days. The bridge also is scheduled for a repair project in fall 2012.

The corrosion was discovered during a regularly scheduled inspection of the Lift Bridge. The inspections are part of MnDOT’s comprehensive bridge inspection and maintenance program designed to ensure that bridges are in safe and good working condition and are maintained to as high standards as possible.

Tags: news, minnesota, wisconsin, travel