Public Works considering doubling Olivet Road Bridge weight limit

COLUMBIA — Boone County is considering increasing the weight limit for the Olivet Road Bridge.

The Boone County Commission along with Boone County Public Works Department decided Tuesday to perform tests on the bridge that would determine whether it could take more weight.

Located just south of Route WW outside the city limits of Columbia, the Olivet Road Bridge has a posted 10-ton weight limit for trucks since its construction in 1970.

The county Public Works Department issued a report that said there is the possibility that the weight limit could be raised from 10 tons for all trucks to 18 tons for single unit trucks and 25 tons for all others.

Olivet Road Bridge carried approximately 181 vehicles per day in 2009 according to a traffic count.

Plans are in the works for Olivet Road to carry increased traffic. By 2025, the road could connect New Haven Road, south of Interstate 70, with Route PP, north of I-70.