Board sets weight limits for Tully Road bridge after inspection finds concrete deterioration

Stanislaus County supervisors on Tuesday accepted revised load ratings for the Tully Road Bridge over the Modesto Irrigation District main canal after a Caltrans bridge inspection found concrete deterioration and exposed reinforcement.

Public Works staff told the board the October 2024 inspection showed widespread spalls on concrete girders and an estimated 15% section loss on the bridge’s T beams. California Vehicle Code section 35751 requires the board to hold a public hearing to establish weight limits on county-owned bridges after a load-rating revision; the hearing was held and staff recommended new restrictions.

County staff said the new limits are: 21 tons per single vehicle; 33 tons for a semi‑trailer combination; 40 tons for a truck and full trailer; and no permitted loads above those limits. The bridge sits on Tully Road north of Kernan Avenue between Carver Road and McHenry Avenue, county images showed at the hearing.

Photos presented at the hearing showed exposed reinforcement and coarse aggregate in concrete spans. Public Works said local, state and federal funding sources would be explored to replace the more-than‑100‑year‑old bridge; in the near term staff said they are identifying local funds while pursuing other funding options.

After the public hearing, the board approved the staff recommendations to accept the revised load rating from Caltrans and to adopt the posted weight limits. The motion to accept the rating and adopt restrictions was approved during the hearing; the item included a finding that the public‑hearing notice was published in compliance with Government Code section 6066.

The new posted limits will remain until repairs or replacement increases the bridge’s capacity. Public Works said the department is pursuing replacement funding and would return to the board with a timeline and funding plan when available.