Route 80 bridge limited to 25 tons

FORT?PLAIN?- The New York State Department of Transportation has announced the Route 80 bridge over the Erie Canal between the villages of Fort Plain and Nelliston has been posted with a weight restriction of 25 tons.

As a result of biennial bridge inspections, DOT staff identified deterioration on interior gusset plates which connect support members on the truss bridge. Based upon a subsequent load rating, it has been determined that the bridge is capable of safely carrying loads of up to 25 tons.

The limit will not affect passenger cars, school buses, or other vehicles weighing less than 25 tons.

The department will be posting signs on the structure to warn truckers of the new weight restriction. As an alternate route, trucks weighing more than 25 tons should use Route 10, which is the nearest river crossing, three miles to the east.

"Motorists are reminded that it is illegal to drive a vehicle in excess of the posted weight over any structure,"?DOT?officials said in a news release.