The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will introduce new weight restrictions for large commercial vehicles on the Red Cliff bridge in Eagle County, beginning in late August 2025. The restrictions will apply to vehicles carrying loads over 34 or 37 tons, depending on their classification and number of axles. CDOT will notify operators through its freight office and place signage at the bridge approaches.
The Red Cliff bridge, located on US Highway 24 near the town of Red Cliff, was built in 1940 and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. It is one of CDOT’s oldest bridges. In 2004, the bridge underwent rehabilitation that included replacing the deck, repainting steel components, and widening while maintaining its historic appearance.
In 2020, CDOT experts began monitoring the bridge for steel corrosion by surveying it for thinning metal. All state bridges are regularly inspected by CDOT to ensure safety. The Red Cliff bridge is inspected every two years.
Findings from a 2020 inspection showed some steel elements were thinning due to age and corrosion. This led to further analysis starting in 2022. As a result of these findings and the structure’s age, CDOT decided to impose load limits for atypically heavy commercial vehicles crossing 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.”
