Bridge Strengthening
The maximum permitted weight of lorries was increased in February 2001 to 44 tonnes. All bridges and highway structures have had to be assessed to see if they could cope with this increase safely.
Pending strengthening, public safety is maintained on those bridges and highway structures assessed as weak by using temporary weight restrictions or other measures and restrictions.
Work carried out under the strengthening programme gives priority to principal road bridges and highway structures. For substandard bridges and highway structures on the non-principal road network, decisions are made whether to permanently weight restrict rather than strengthen.
Each bridge and highway structures is considered on its merits taking into account safety, economic and environmental factors.
