Weight limits to be restricted on Route 96 bridge

(From MODOT)

A recent routine inspection of the Route 96 bridge over the Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad tracks in Carthage revealed deteriorating conditions prompting MoDOT to restrict the weight limit to 10 tons for vehicles crossing the bridge, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

This means trucks and other vehicles heavier than 20,000 lbs. will be prohibited from crossing the bridge.

The legal maximum weight limit for vehicles in Missouri is 80,000 lbs.

The bridge was built in 1934 and carries approximately 4,500 vehicles a day.

For the past several years, this bridge has been inspected every 12 months. As a result of these most recent findings, it will now be inspected every six months.

MoDOT will do its best to maintain the bridge, but there is the possibility it may need to be closed at some point in the future. Because of MoDOT's funding situation, there are currently no plans for major repair or replacement of the span.

To best manage its limited resources, MoDOT maintains its bridges through an aggressive inspection and preventative maintenance program.

This situation is symptomatic of the state of Missouri's transportation system. Missouri has the nation's seventh largest system of roads and bridges, but transportation funding ranks 40th in the nation.

Because of limited funding, MoDOT must prioritize its work.