jwduke
Ice Cream Capital of the World (Le Mars), Ia.
Senior Member
Joined: 05/01/2005
View Profile
 Offline
|
US 81/Meridian Bridge at Yankton, SD crossing the Missouri River, currently has a 10 ton load limit on it.
NE & SD DOT are stopping traffic in BOTH directions & asking for a weight tickets on vehicles they feel are over the limit.
The fine is quite high from what I understand ($25,000 for a semi)
From what I understand this will last for 4 months.
2004.5 Flame Red Dodge Ram 2500 Quad cab 4x4 w/CTD
1991 29' Holiday Rambler Alumalite 5er.
|
sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
Moderator
Joined: 11/18/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
Moved from 5th wheels to Roads & Routes.
Frank
RV.net blog
For those of you looking for expert advice, here ya go!
Frank
|
Lauren
Sahuarita, AZ (or on the road!)
Senior Member
Joined: 05/31/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
10 ton (combined weight) will take in a good portion of the 5ers as well as most motor homes!
L
Lauren - DW Barbara - "Aussie" Terrier, Sadie
2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3 with TrailAir
2006 Chev 3500 3LT Ext Cab 4x4 360HP Dmax 6 Spd Allie
www.laurenbarbara.com
|
Fiver-Get-You-Ten
Chattanooga, TN
Senior Member
Joined: 04/01/2008
View Profile
|
Lauren wrote:10 ton (combined weight) will take in a good portion of the 5ers as well as most motor homes!
L Won't get me!  
2007 DODGE RAM 2500 4x4 QC CTD 5.9 4SPD AUTO RIDE-RITES PRODIGY REESE 16K KWIK-SLIDE*** 2008 MONTANA 3400RL
|
mtlogger
Montana
Full Member
Joined: 05/26/2008
View Profile
|
jwduke wrote:NE & SD DOT are stopping traffic in BOTH directions & asking for a weight tickets on vehicles they feel are over the limit.
SD has been known to weigh pickups with trailers from time to time.
Matt J - '88 Peterbilt 379, DD60 w/45ft Whitworth self-loader; '56 416 Unimog, Airstream & Featherlight trailers, two mules;
Bert - '70 404S Unimog & '06 Chrysler 300 gassers
|
|
|
byronlj
Loveland, CO/Lake Havasu City, AZ
Senior Member
Joined: 11/30/2002
View Profile
|
I went over that bridge last August. I was impressed with it and the river. I am glad they weren't weighing rigs then because I am well over 10 tons.
Dave
byronlj
07.5 Silverado LTZ Ex. Cab 3500HD dually 4X4 duramax LMM/allison 6spd
07 HR Presidential Suite 37RLQ
|
The Mad Norsky
Yankton, South Dakota
Senior Member
Joined: 04/14/2003
View Profile
|
Much ado about nothing here folks.
Reason for this stopping of suspect vehicles is that the Meridian Bridge is not safe right now for loads over 10 tons. An inspection revealed some damage to the bridge, specifically in the gusset plates holding everything together.
So a weight limit was placed just to protect folks until the bridge can be repaired. At this time, I am moving to Yankton, and was there on Friday (13th). Local folks and news report now the bridge will be closed soon for these repairs. Traffic will be routed through either the Vermillion bridge or over to Springfield and cross there.
The new bridge at Yankton, under construction about two blocks west of the Meridian Bridge, is not scheduled for completion until out into the fall of this year.
So if folks are getting stopped, it more than likely will be the idiots who are ignoring the multitude of warning signs they have on all highways leading into Yankton, and signs right in the bridge area itself.
I don't blame SD and NE DOT. They are doing their best to prevent another Minneapolis I-35 style bridge collapse.
The Mad Norsky, Doll, Logan & Rocky
2006 Dodge Cummins 3500 4X4 Dually
RV'ing since 1991
We never know where we're going till we get there!
|
The Mad Norsky
Yankton, South Dakota
Senior Member
Joined: 04/14/2003
View Profile
|
I should add one more bit of information here, to help travelers out.
If you find yourself in Yankton area with big camper of any style, you can still cross the Missouri River without having to travel too far out of the way.
On the South Dakota side, off US 81, take SD 52 west to the Gavin's Point Dam (about 4 miles west of town) and cross there. It is a single lane crossing, light controlled, so traffic only one direction at a time. But no weight restrictions.
On the Nebraska side, it is west/left turn just before you get to the Meridian Bridge. It is marked as Nebraska route 121. Again, about 4 miles, just follow signs to Gavin's Point Dam.
You can easily return to US 81 by following the above directions in reverse from either side.
|
Cheddarhead
Northern Wisconsin
Senior Member
Joined: 03/06/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
I've crossed this bridge several times a few years ago on our way pheasant hunting just south of there. I can see why they are concerned. It's a unique old double decker bridge with s/b on the bottom deck and n/b on the top deck as I recall.
2006 Chevy 2500HD EC/SB 4x4 Duramax/Allison
05 Jayco "Jayflight" 285RLS
Some of our trip Pics
|
