12/30/2009
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Normal axle load limits on Idaho State Highway 21 return from Robie Creek to Idaho City
BOISE - Axle
load limits which had been in place temporarily on Idaho State Highway 21 from Robie Creek
to Idaho City for the last several weeks will be lifted at midnight tonight (Wednesday, Dec. 30).
Freeze/thaw conditions on the highway had made it necessary to invoke restrictions
in the 17-mile stretch (milepost 22 to 39), but the Idaho Transportation
Department reports that temperatures have been cold enough over the last several
days to sufficiently
refreeze the roadbed so that maximum legal loads can again be allowed.
Maximum loads, as set forth in Idaho Code, can be found here. The load limit had been temporarily reduced to 12,000 lbs. per axle on Dec. 19 to combat the freeze/thaw conditions.
If temperatures rise
to the point that the roadbed begins to thaw, it may be necessary to reinstate
load limits of some type to prevent pavement breakup. ITD will continue to
monitor conditions.