Council adopts 15‑ton weight restriction and sign installation for Cerro Gordo Bridge until deck is replaced

The Santa Fe City Council adopted a resolution imposing a 15‑ton gross weight limit on the Cerro Gordo bridge (structure referenced as Bridge 8838) and directed installation of advance warning signage and notification to the New Mexico Department of Transportation.

Public Works Director Virginia Wheeler told council that a statewide inspection program had identified the bridge as the city’s highest priority for attention. The city previously appropriated $220,000 for assessment and planning; the city engaged AECOM engineer Richard Rotto to perform a deeper evaluation after coring samples showed the existing bridge deck concrete was not competent. Rotto told the council the team conducted deck coring and load rating analysis and “recommended 15 tons” as a safe interim limit until the deck is replaced.

Wheeler said the engineering team estimates replacement of the bridge deck at approximately $1 million and that the city’s near-term aim is to complete that work this year. She also reported that city departments and schools had been notified and were avoiding use of the bridge; propane deliveries that travel the route were reported to be within the limit.

Councilors voted in favor of the resolution during roll call and the motion carried.

Ending: The council’s action imposes the temporary 15‑ton weight limit, requires advance signage, directs notice to NMDOT as required by state law, and initiates planning for a deck replacement estimated at about $1 million. No construction contract was awarded at the meeting.