Colorado DOT announces commercial vehicle weight load restrictions on ‘historic’ US 24 bridge due to thinning steel

On Monday, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced that new weight restrictions will be implemented on the “historic” Red Cliff bridge this month due to concerns over the structure’s age.

Starting in late August 2025, CDOT will implement weight load restrictions on the Red Cliff bridge, located on US Highway 24, outside the town of Red Cliff, Colorado.

The new restrictions will prohibit commercial vehicles carrying over 34 or 37 tons, depending on classification and axles, from crossing the bridge.

Officials say that heavier trucks will be rerouted to alternate routes on US 24, CO 91, and I-70.

CDOT will install signage to communicate the new weight restrictions.

CDOT pointed to concerns over the Red Cliff bridge’s “thinning steel” as a reason for the weight restrictions:

“Results from the 2020 inspection revealed that certain steel elements on Red Cliff bridge were beginning to thin, prompting a more detailed analysis, which began in 2022. The thinning steel, combined with the age of the structure, has led to the proactive implementation of new load restrictions for large commercial motor vehicles carrying atypically heavy loads crossing the bridge.“

CDOT says that there are no safety concerns for passenger vehicles or commercial vehicles carrying “typical loads,” and that these “prudent load restrictions” are only intended to extend the lifespan of the bridge.

“Originally constructed in 1940, the Red Cliff bridge is a registered National Historic Landmark and one of the oldest and most unique assets of the Colorado Department of Transportation. In 2004, the iconic bridge underwent a rehabilitation project that included replacing the bridge deck, repainting much of the steel, and widening the deck while preserving its historic aesthetic,” CDOT said.