Reduced commercial vehicle weight limits go into effect on Louisville bridge

Kentucky transportation officials announced that lower commercial vehicle weight limits will go into effect on a busy Louisville bridge.

Starting on Tuesday, December 3, reduced vehicle weight limits will go into effect on the Clark Memorial Bridge (also known as the Second Street Bridge) over the Ohio River connecting downtown Louisville, Kentucky, to southern Indiana.

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet:

The Clark Memorial Bridge, which has been posted at the legal roadway limit for cars and commercial trucks, will be posted Tuesday for reduced weight limits. For example, the weight limit for a typical Type IV semi-truck (tractor trailer) will be reduced from 40 tons to 36 tons. There will be no change for Type I trucks, such as passenger cars, pickups, SUVs, vans, etc. Weight limits, defined by vehicle and axle types, include:

• Type I – 20 tons (no change)
• Type II – 25 tons (previously 27 tons)
• Type III – 29 tons (previously 34 tons)
• Type IV – 36 tons (previously 40 tons)
• 5 Axles – 31 tons (previously 40 tons)
• 6 Axles – 32 tons (previously 40 tons)
• 7+ Axles – 34 tons (previously 41 tons)

Truckers operating vehicles exceeding these weight limits are asked to use alternate routes, including the Sherman Minton Bridge (I-64) or Abraham Lincoln/John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridges (I-65) in downtown Louisville.

The decision to lower weight limits came following an inspection of the 95 year old bridge structure.

“While the bridge remains safe for all travelers, the inspection and subsequent analysis found that the deterioration has progressed to the point where weight-limit restrictions are needed to better protect the structure from damage and ensure continued traffic safety,” officials said.