A heads up to all RVers using SR-55 through Cascade. DOT has reduced the axle weight for ALL vehicles on the north bridge to 9K/axle and will be further reducing it to 6K/axle this week. They are serious about this as the bridge is now considered unsafe for any heavier weight and they are going to start setting up temp scales on both sides of the bridge. They also plan to have flaggers on both sides to control traffic 24/7, as they say 2 max weight vehicles crossing in opposite direction could cause the bridge to collapse. These weights and restrictions apply to ALL vehicles, including RVs.There is an alternate around the bridge, Thunder Mountain Rd, but it is approx. 4 miles of dirt and holes, plus right now is closed because a commercial rig tried to use it and is stuck hard in a soft spot.They will start emergency construction of a new 5 lane bridge on 1 July, but the weight restriction will remain in effect for a couple years. Please check with IDOT before driving all the way up here and not be allowed to continue.

Are you talking about the bridge over the Payette River at the north end of town? We are trying to figure out where Thunder Mountain Road is and where it would come out at the other end.We have reservations at Cascade Lake State Park this summer, so I guess we will have to figure it out before that.

Yes, that is the bridge, the one everyone fishes from. Thunder Mountain Rd runs from just south of the airport to Warm Lake Rd, on the east side of town. Most RVs are within the weight allowed, with only the very large trailers and most Class A's excepted. However, there are several routes to the SP that you can take to bypass the bridge, if coming from the north. Coming from the south, the bridge is not a factor going to Cascade Lake SP.

This is the bridge on the North End of Cascade. Must be the one by the dam. Here's an article on it. Thanks Texan for the heads up. Note the weight limits in the article. Seems that the average RV'er will be alright. If not, you can go around through Weiser and New Meadows.

I as told by a DOT employee Friday, that they had a meeting this week and those numbers I posted were the new numbers and that the actions I spoke of were going to be instituted this coming week. I do know they are now inspecting the bridge daily for further failure.The bridge was originally scheduled for replacement 2 years from now and they changed the start to 1 July because of the degradation.

The load limits from the OP are in pounds, but the load limits in the linked article are in tons. If the limits are really in tons, most RVs under 45' diesel pushers can use the bridge.As indicated, the rules may change at any time so one should contact IDDT before trying to use the bridge.

Idaho SR-55 bridge warning | Good Sam Community

The_Texan
Explorer
Apr 21, 2014
DianneOK wrote:
There is also the option of using West Mountain road which goes around the west side of the lake. Part of it is gravel, but a good road. It begins south of Cascade and goes past Tamarack and into Donnelly.

I am not sure if there are any weight limits on it, tho many campers use it to access the campgrounds on that side of the lake.
Just breakup limits in effect right now. After spring thaw, there are no limits.
DianneOK
Explorer
Apr 21, 2014
There is also the option of using West Mountain road which goes around the west side of the lake. Part of it is gravel, but a good road. It begins south of Cascade and goes past Tamarack and into Donnelly.

I am not sure if there are any weight limits on it, tho many campers use it to access the campgrounds on that side of the lake.
SRT
Explorer
Apr 20, 2014
One wonders how many other bridges around the country are in the same shape. Reminds me of the I-35W bridge collapse over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis a few years ago. Many bridges are past their life expectancy.
wca01
Explorer
Apr 20, 2014
The load limits from the OP are in pounds, but the load limits in the linked article are in tons. If the limits are really in tons, most RVs under 45' diesel pushers can use the bridge.

As indicated, the rules may change at any time so one should contact IDDT before trying to use the bridge.
The_Texan
Explorer
Apr 20, 2014
I as told by a DOT employee Friday, that they had a meeting this week and those numbers I posted were the new numbers and that the actions I spoke of were going to be instituted this coming week. I do know they are now inspecting the bridge daily for further failure.

The bridge was originally scheduled for replacement 2 years from now and they changed the start to 1 July because of the degradation.
ReneeG
Explorer
Apr 20, 2014
This is the bridge on the North End of Cascade. Must be the one by the dam. Here's an article on it.

Thanks Texan for the heads up.

Note the weight limits in the article. Seems that the average RV'er will be alright. If not, you can go around through Weiser and New Meadows.
The_Texan
Explorer
Apr 19, 2014
Yes, that is the bridge, the one everyone fishes from. Thunder Mountain Rd runs from just south of the airport to Warm Lake Rd, on the east side of town. Most RVs are within the weight allowed, with only the very large trailers and most Class A's excepted. However, there are several routes to the SP that you can take to bypass the bridge, if coming from the north. Coming from the south, the bridge is not a factor going to Cascade Lake SP.
Murphsmom
Explorer
Apr 19, 2014
Are you talking about the bridge over the Payette River at the north end of town? We are trying to figure out where Thunder Mountain Road is and where it would come out at the other end.

We have reservations at Cascade Lake State Park this summer, so I guess we will have to figure it out before that.

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