Renovation finished on Columbia bridge that couldn’t accommodate large trucks

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Renovations are complete on Columbia's Ridgemont bridge, allowing heavier vehicles to pass.

John Ogan, spokesperson for Columbia Public Works, said the bridge was first built around the 1960s.

As bridges age, inspectors review their conditions and assign weight limits for the bridge. Due to natural deterioration, older bridges tend to have lower weight limits. When the bridge was closed for replacement in November 2023, its weight limit was 3 tons.

With important vehicles like school buses, fire trucks and fully-loaded snow plows weighing over 10 tons, the bridge's weight limit forced heavier vehicles to reroute to Forum Boulevard.

The new bridge has a weight limit of 38 tons, accommodating many different vehicles, and also features a sidewalk on the south side.

The project cost $775,600 and was funded by both the Missouri Department of Transporation and money from the city's Capital Improvement Sales Tax.

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