The Little Quilcene River Bridge, on Center Road just north of Quilcene, will be posted for weight limitations on single unit vehicles. The weight limitations will be as follows: 23 tons for single unit vehicles with 3 axles or less; 25 tons for single unit vehicles with 4 axles; 29 tons for single unit vehicles with 5 axles; 32 tons for single unit vehicles with 6 axles; 36 tons for single unit vehicles with 7 axles. 

The load posting requirement is largely due to the emergence of Specialized Hauling Vehicles over the past 10 to 20 years, which are trucks with the capacity to haul greater loads over a shorter wheelbase, made possible by adding additional closely spaced axles. The posting will not affect Combination type trucks (e.g. Tractor/Trailer) with less concentrated load distribution.

The County has previously been able to avoid posting this bridge given its’ long history of carrying normal traffic loads and showing no signs of distress. However, the Federal Highway Administration will no longer allow this, and has required the posting.  The posting will be very similar to the recently posted WSDOT, Highway 101, Indian Creek Bridge west of Port Angeles – see photo. If you have questions about the load posting, please call the Jefferson County Public Works Department at (360) 385-9160.

Jefferson County Public Works is pursuing federal funding for bridge replacement through the Surface Transportation Block Grant, which is administered through the Washington State Department of Transportation.