The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has announced that the overpass bridge at Mt. Emily Road over Interstate 84, known as the Kamela interchange at exit 243 between Pendleton and La Grande, will have new weight restrictions starting February 12. Vehicles exceeding the posted weight limits must use alternate or detour routes.
According to ODOT, the bridge was constructed in 1957 using steel and concrete and was not designed for today’s larger vehicles. The ledges supporting the steel span did not pass a recent load rating analysis, prompting the need for these temporary restrictions. “We need to strengthen these ledges before we can lift the load restrictions,” stated ODOT.
The agency emphasized that this is a temporary measure. Repairs are scheduled for later in the spring when weather conditions improve, and restrictions will be lifted once repairs are complete.
ODOT clarified that the bridge remains safe for vehicles under the posted weight limits. “The bridge is safe to use as long as vehicles crossing the bridge are under the posted weight limits. Bridge weight restrictions are required when an engineering review shows that the structure cannot safely carry standard legal vehicle loads,” said ODOT.
A standard legal vehicle is defined by ODOT as any vehicle at or below 40 tons with no single axle over 10 tons and no tandem axle over 17 tons.
For more information on load ratings, drivers can visit the ODOT Bridge Engineering webpage. For real-time road conditions and traffic alerts, travelers are encouraged to check tripcheck.com or call 5-1-1.
Questions about these changes can be directed to Rich Lani, District 12 Manager, at 541-278-6021 or via email at richard.lani@odot.oregon.gov.
