Vehicle Weight Limit Lowered on Westport Bridge

WESTPORT, CT — Conditions on the Kings Highway North Bridge over Willow Brook in Westport have been deemed deficient by the state Department of Transportation and its State Bridge Inspection Contractor, and only vehicles 4 tons or less will be allowed to drive over it, officials announced.

The new tonage requirement is effective immediately, but it should not affect typical passenger vehicles. The Kings Highway North Bridge is located on Kings Highway North between Canal Road and Main Street, and it will remain open to vehicles under the 4-ton limit.

Load rating signs have been posted and will be in effect until further notice. Only those vehicles with a gross vehicle weight over 4 tons will be detoured.

"Once the recommendation to detour vehicles over 4 tons was received, immediate action was taken and all necessary precautions were implemented to insure that public safety is not compromised," said First Selectman Jim Marpe in a statement. "The Department of Public Works will now have sufficient time to review the bridge structure and determine the proper course of action to further insure its safety while the road remains open to passenger vehicular traffic."

While ConnDOT regularly inspects municipal (non-State highway) bridges over 20 feet in span, the under-20 foot bridges, such as the Kings Highway North Bridge, have not been inspected since 1992, according to officials.

During the past year, ConnDOT has been inspecting the condition of municipal bridges under 20 feet in length, and the recent inspection of the 18-foot Kings Highway Bridge revealed the deficient conditions.

The Westport Public Works Department is implementing the load rating recommendation immediately and has begun the evaluation of the options, costs, and permitting required for replacement or rehabilitation of that section of the roadway.

Photo credit: Town of Westport