DATE: June 3, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Public Works Department
TITLE: INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT VEHICLES IN EXCESS OF SEVEN AND EIGHT TONS ON THE SAN LUIS REY RIVER BRIDGE (NORTH COAST HIGHWAY), NORTH OF STATE ROUTE 76
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council introduce an ordinance establishing the prohibition of vehicles in excess of seven tons per Type 3 truck (truck with 3 axles), in excess of seven tons per Type 3S2 truck (truck and semi-trailer with 5 axle), and in excess of eight tons per Type 3-3 (truck and fuller trailer with 6 axles) from using North Coast Highway Bridge over San Luis Rey River Bridge north of State Route 76 (SR-76).
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
North Coast Highway Bridge over San Luis Rey River was constructed in 1929 by the Division of Highways. The bridge is owned and maintained by the City. On March 30, 2026, staff received a Bridge Inspection Report (Report) from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Division of Maintenance, Structure Maintenance and Investigations. The Report includes detailed descriptions of the bridge's structural integrity, safe load carrying capacity and overall general condition. Based on the Report's findings, it's recommended that a reduced load rating be immediately implemented on the bridge as follows:
* Type 3 (truck with 3 axles) - seven ton maximum
* Type 3S2 (truck and semi-trailer with 5 axle) - seven ton maximum
* Type 3-3 (truck and trailer with 6 axles) - eight ton maximum
Any vehicles exceeding these limits shall use Interstate 5 to detour around the San Luis Rey River Bridge. To ensure compliance with Caltrans recommendations, the City has already posted appropriate signs stating these reduced load ratings.
FISCAL IMPACT
The installation of signs has cost approximately $1,000 with an increase in annual maintenance of one (1) work hour and will be charged to the Traffic Control System account 64062...
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