Bridges 101

The Colorado Department of Transportation categorizes structures as major or minor depending on the span length as measured down the centerline of the road. Major structures are those structures that are over 20' in length and minor structure are those structures that are between 4' and 20' in length. 

Maintenance and repair of these structures includes items such as scour protection to ensure stability of the structure and protect them from erosion at the footings; substructure repairs including abutments and piers; super structure repairs including girders/stringers, decks and curbs; ad bridge rail/guard rail. 

All major structures are inspected on a 2-year cycle and all minor structures are inspected on a 4-year cycle. Maintenance items identified during these inspections are categorized and prioritized and then scheduled to be performed by County crews or contractors.

Private bridges and culverts are not maintained by Larimer County.

Bridge Weight Limits

The Engineering Department is responsible for ensuring that bridges incapable of supporting legal highway loads are properly posted. All Larimer County bridges are inspected every two years. The following table details the bridges which are posted as of February, 2018.

*1-Lane Bridge for All Vehicles Over 27 Tons.

TOTAL NUMBER OF POSTED BRIDGES IN THIS LIST = 12

DATE LAST UPDATED:    February, 2018

Larimer County's bridge posting program seeks to make known the safe load carrying capacity of structures which cannot presently withstand the maximum legal load permitted on the highway. The sign restrictions meet federal bridge inspection standards and requirements. To minimize inconvenience and difficulty, truckers are urged to consult a map and this table in planning or predetermining available routes for a particular vehicle and load.

NOTE: This restricted bridge list is not static. As bridges are replaced or rehabilitated, the load limit restrictions may be removed or changed. Also, as existing bridges deteriorate or are damaged, load limit restrictions may have to be placed upon them. It is imperative that all users of this table make certain that they have the latest version. Larimer County will make every effort to keep users informed of any changes but cannot accept responsibility or liability for any user not utilizing the latest version of this document. In all cases, with the possible exception of gross load posting as described below, the weight limit signs posted at Larimer County bridges shall take precedence over this table.

If the 'gross load' field shows a value, it indicates that the bridge is posted for a gross load only. If the 'truck type' fields also show values, it indicates that trucks over the gross load amount may safely cross the structure provided that the truck weight does not exceed the value given for the truck's axle configuration for Type II and Type III vehicles.

Additional information about Colorado legal vehicle dimensions and weight limits.