The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will introduce new weight load restrictions on the Red Cliff bridge in Eagle County starting late August 2025. The restrictions will prohibit large commercial motor vehicles carrying loads over 34 or 37 tons, depending on their classification and number of axles, from using the bridge. CDOT will notify operators through its freight office and place signage on approaches to the bridge.
The Red Cliff bridge, built in 1940, is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is among CDOT’s oldest assets. In 2004, the bridge underwent rehabilitation that included replacing the deck, repainting steel components, and widening while maintaining its historic appearance.
Since 2020, CDOT has increased monitoring of the Red Cliff bridge due to concerns about steel corrosion. Regular inspections are conducted every two years for this structure as part of statewide safety protocols. The 2020 inspection identified thinning in some steel elements, which led to a more detailed analysis beginning in 2022. This assessment found that both aging and material wear justified imposing new weight limits for certain heavy commercial vehicles.
“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.”
These measures aim to preserve both public safety and the integrity of this historic structure.
