Load posting is often required for structures that, due to their original design or condition, do not have the structural capacity to safely carry the State Legal Loads. Posting is usually necessary for bridges designed at a time when the design truck for the particular stretch of roadway was only H-10 or H-15, meaning gross truck loads of 20,000 or 30,000 lbs. Structures may be posted at Operating Rating levels provided that the condition ratings exceed those defined in Figure 6-3 and Figure 6-5. and other requirements are met. Otherwise, if the Condition Ratings are less than those defined, the Posting must be at Inventory Rating level of the corresponding element (i.e. if the Condition Rating of the superstructure on a particular bridge is a 5, and the Condition Rating of the substructure is a 4, then the Posting is at the Inventory Rating level of the substructure, not the superstructure). Per the 2016 FHWA Memo of Load Rating for the FAST Act’s Emergency Vehicles, when a load rating results in an operating factor less than 1.0 for the emergency vehicles, the bridge shall be posted for the governing single axle, tandem axle and gross weight limits derived from the operating rating factors of EV2 and EV3. In addition, a unique load posting sign, R12-8nT, only for emergency vehicles shall be utilized.

A load posting of a given truck size means that two trucks of the posted capacity can safely pass on the bridge at the same time. This concept is often misinterpreted by those doing load ratings and making load posting recommendations. It is recognized that a bridge posted for an HS-5 (18,000 lbs. gross load) can safely carry a single truck of significantly more than 18,000 lbs. For a bridge with width at least 18 feet, no method ensures that only a single truck is on the bridge. Therefore, assume that two trucks of the same size could be passing on the bridge simultaneously.

However, some bridges, particularly off-system, are load posted assuming only one rating truck even though they may be wider than 18 feet. This condition usually occurs due to the volume of truck traffic, structure width or approach roadway width, striping, runners, etc., making them functionally one-lane bridges for trucks.

It is important to recognize that even though a bridge may have been designed to an H-15 loading, it may not need to be load posted due to considerations discussed previously, such as reinforcement or member size in excess of the theoretical amount, more liberal load distribution now used in analysis, and LF analysis methods which usually increase Inventory Ratings significantly more than the original design loading.

Transportation Code, Section 621.301 provides that a county may establish load limits for a county road or bridge only with the concurrence of the department. If a county determines that the load limit of a county bridge should be different than the load limit supported by a department inspection, the county must submit the proposed load limit to the district engineer. A request for a load limit must be accompanied by supporting documentation that is sealed by an engineer and that includes at a minimum: calculations supporting the proposed limit and a structural evaluation report documenting the condition of the bridge. The district engineer will give a concurrence to a county's proposal in writing. If the department does not indicate concurrence or non-concurrence in writing within 30 calendar days of receipt by the department of a request that included all required documentation, the proposed load limit must be deemed concurred with by the department. The department may review the load limit and withdraw this concurrence at any time by providing written notification to the county. A county may appeal the decision of the district engineer by submitting a written request along with the required documentation to the executive director. The executive director will review the request and determine if department concurrence will be granted. The executive director's decision is final.

Typical load posting signs are shown in Figure 6-6 Texas must comply with posting time limits established by FHWA. FHWA requires that bridge load posting signs be installed no later than 30 days after a load rating determines a need for such posting. When updated load ratings are required (or submitted by consultants), they are to be performed and submitted for TxDOT approval within 30 days following an inspection. TxDOT will act promptly on all load posting recommendations made affecting public safety. Otherwise, TxDOT will review and approve load ratings for on-system bridges within 90 days of the date of inspection, or when a change is identified that warrants a re-rating. Approval of all off-system load ratings and load posting recommendations, except those for Emergency Vehicles, will be made when inspection reports are approved by TxDOT (within 90 days of the inspection date). All Emergency Vehicle load ratings and load postings need to be reviewed and approved by TxDOT Bridge Division.

District bridge offices send a list of off-system bridges that are recommended for load posting by certified mail to the owner of the bridges. A signed copy of the cover letter is returned to TxDOT from the local jurisdiction official. After the appropriate load zone signs have been prepared by TxDOT, district bridge office sends a letter notifying the local jurisdiction as to where the signs and hardware may be picked up along with installation instructions. TxDOT supplies materials to implement the recommended load posting of all off-system bridges to the local jurisdiction. After the signs are installed, the local jurisdiction returns a statement of compliance to TxDOT. Photographs are required to document installation of load restriction signs and are stored in the inspection file for historical reference. When local governments fail to install load posting signs within one week of the 30-day timeframe, Districts will need to take further action to ensure that signs are installed as authorized under Texas Transportation Code §201.8035.(c).

Attention should be given to bridges on Farm to Market and Ranch to Market roads where gross load postings of 58,420 lbs. are present. This load restriction only applies to older pavements of light design and is independent of the bridges. All bridges in Texas must be analyzed to determine load carrying capacity. Furthermore, the load restriction shall not be reflected in the coding in the Bridge Inspection Management System. If these signs appear in photographs that are part of a bridge inspection, a notation should be added to reduce confusion as to the purpose of the weight restriction.

The following table outlines the procedure for changing the load posting of an on-system bridge.

Changing Load Posting of an On-System Bridge

Step	Responsible Party	Action
1	Consultant/District /BRGConsultant/District /BRG	The engineer determines a change in posting status based on load ratings and/or condition ratings of the structure. A change in posting status may result from one of the following: a new load restriction a revision to an existing load restriction a removal of a load restriction Repair or rehabilitation of a bridge that increases load capacity and eliminates a load restriction. Construction of a new bridge that replaces one with a load restriction. Improved/refined calculations.
2		Submit Form 1083R, bridge inspection record, plans and supporting calculations to TxDOT Bridge Division within 30 days of inspection date (Email to BRG_Load_Posting@txdot.gov ).
3	Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer	Record the date the Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer receives the load posting change documentations on Form 1083R. Review the recommendation and perform more detailed analysis, if necessary
4a	Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer	Disapproval of recommendation: Notify the District that the recommendation was not approved. Update the Bridge Inspection Management System with this information and complete Form 1083R. Upload Form 1083R to the structure's file in the Bridge Inspection Management System with the file name format: DD-CCC-CCCC-SSSSS_LPR_YYYY-MM-DD (Load Posting Request with date of disapproval). If the Load Rating Engineer performed a separate analysis, upload it to the structure's file in Bridge Inspection Management System with the file name format: DD-CCC-CCCC-SS-SSS_LR_YYYY-MM-DD (Load Rating with date signed and sealed).
4b	Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer	Approval of recommendation or modifies recommendation: Calculate the appropriate posting level. Combine load rating, posting calculations, and related documentation with the Load Rating Engineer's load posting recommendation (Form 1083R) and send to the Bridge Division Director for approval. The approval of a load rating must be completed within 3 months of inspection date or when a need of a new load rating is determined.
5a	Bridge Division Director	Approval of recommendation: Sign and date Form 1083R. Return Form 1083R to Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer.
5b	Bridge Division Director	Disapproval of recommendation: Sign and date Form 1083R. Return Form 1083R to Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer.
6a	Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer	Upon Bridge Division Director Approval: If the Load Rating Engineer performed a separate analysis, upload it to the structure's file in the Bridge Inspection Management System with the file name format: DD-CCC-CCCC-SS-SSS_LR_YYYY-MM-DD (Load Rating with date signed and sealed). Upload load posting calculations and Form 1083R to the structure's file in the Bridge Inspection Management System with the file name format: DDCCC-CCCC-SS-SSS_LPR_YYYY-MM-DD (Load Posting Sign with date of Administrative approval). Update any related coding in Bridge Inspection Management System to reflect this change.
6b	Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer	Upon Bridge Division Director Disapproval: The Load Rating Engineer shall perform a separate analysis., If the new analysis indicates the load posting is not needed, upload calculations and Form 1083R to the structure's file in the Bridge Inspection Management System with the file name format: DD-CCC-CCCC-SSSSS_LPR_YYYY-MM-DD (Load Posting Sign with date of Administrative disapproval). If the new analysis indicates the load posting is still needed, return to step 4b.
7	Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer	Upon receipt of the approved load posting recommendation from the Bridge Division Director: Provide approval notification to the District. Notify the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Texas Department of Safety (DPS) of the status change for the structure. The notification includes: District name, county name, the facility carried, the feature crossed, latitude and longitude, the status prior to the change, and the new status of the bridge. The 30-day time period for posting On-System bridges starts the date that the Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer receives an approved 1083R from Bridge Division Director. Provide Districts with monthly reporting that tracks the statuses of recommended load posting changes.
8	District	Upon receipt of recommendation approval notification, take one of the following actions: New Load Posting or Load Posting Revision- Immediately order load posting signs and erect the signs upon their receipt. Load Posting Removal - Immediately remove load posting signs.
9	District	After signs have been placed or removed: Notify the Load Rating Engineer that the signs have been erected/removed at the bridge, and include the completion date. Document the placement of signs with photos using the format DD-CCCCCCC-SS-SSS_LP_PHOTOS_YYYY-MM.

The following table outlines the procedure for changing the load posting of an on-system bridge in an emergency.

Changing Load Posting of an On-System Bridge in an Emergency

Step	Responsible Party	Action
1	District	Notify the Bridge Division’s Inspection Branch by telephone that an emergency load restriction is required. Identify deficiencies that justify the placement of an emergency load limit.
2	Bridge Division	Work with the District to determine the load limit, if required, and verbally authorize an emergency load restriction for a period not to exceed 60 days if necessary.
3	Bridge Division	Prepare a letter to the District for signature by the Director of the Bridge Division authorizing the temporary load limits and specifying the duration of the temporary limit.
4	Bridge Division	Verbally notify the District of official approval of the emergency load limit.
5	Bridge Division	Notify the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the Texas Department of Public Safety of any bridge load restriction.
6	District	On receipt of verbal approval by the Bridge Division, immediately erect signs indicating the emergency load limit.

If the emergency load limit is required for a period longer than 60 days, the District should submit a request to the Bridge Division for the emergency load restriction to remain in place for another 60 days. If the bridge is not replaced or repaired before the emergency load restriction extension expires, the District should submit a request to the Bridge Division for a permanent load restriction following the procedures for changing on-system bridge load postings.

Close bridges with less than an HS-3 Operating Rating capacity pursuant to the Texas Load Posting Guidelines presented in Figure 6-4 and Figure 6-5. Follow these policies for onsystem bridges. It is strongly recommended that they also be followed by municipalities and counties with jurisdiction over off-system bridges. Bridges with Inventory Ratings less than HS-3 but with Operating Ratings greater than HS-3 may remain open for 24 months. If it is desired to leave a bridge in this category open, then inspect it every six months and ensure the bridge is programmed for rehabilitation or replacement within two years. Close the bridge if after 24 months it has not been rehabilitated or replaced.

If inspection reveals deterioration that affects an off-system bridge’s ability to safely carry vehicular traffic, the department may use the following procedure to recommend that it be closed for safety reasons:

Recommending Off-System Bridge Closures

Step	Responsible Party	Action
1	Consultant/ District/BRG	Inspector immediately notifies the District and the Inspection Branch of the Bridge Division if a bridge should be closed based on the results of an inspection.
2	District	Immediate review is required. The district will verify conditions as soon as possible to confirm the recommendation for closure by a consultant.
3	District	The District will immediately notify the local entity of a valid closure recommendation, and offer to meet representatives of the local entity at the bridge location. The District will inform the local entity that its participation in the TxDOT Participation Waived and Equivalent Match Program depends on full compliance with departmental closure and posting recommendations and that failure to follow closure recommendations could result in the loss of federal funds. The District will promptly update the Bridge Inspection Management System to reflect the closure recommendation. [See Item 41 (SNBI: B.PS.01) in the Coding Guide.]" NOTE : TxDOT will not conduct another formal inspection of the bridge until it is repaired or replaced.
4	Local Entity	Close the bridge and notify the District when the bridge is closed to traffic.
5	District	Verify closure of the bridge upon receipt of notification and include a photo or certified documentation verifying the closure in the bridge inspection file. Promptly update the Bridge Inspection Management System to reflect the closure status of the bridge. [See Item 41 (SNBI: B.PS.01) in the Coding Guide."]
6	District	If the bridge will remain closed for an extended period of time, the district will verify and document with photos, uploaded into the Bridge Inspection Management System, that the bridge is still closed to traffic as part of the regular inspection cycle.

Use the following procedure to place, modify or remove load restrictions, excluding EVs, for off-system bridges where an inspection and subsequent load rating show that the bridge's ability to safely carry state legal loads is compromised:

Recommending Off-System Non-EV Load Posting Changes

Step	Responsible Party	Action
1	Consultant/ District/BRG	Inspector determines a change in posting status based on condition ratings and load rating of the structure. A change in posting status may result from one of the following: a new load restriction a revision to an existing load restriction a removal of a load restriction replacement of missing or damaged signs
2	District	Upon receipt of a recommendation for a change in load restriction, take the following actions: Notify the local entity that owns the bridge of the recommended change in load restriction. If the recommendation involves a new load posting, a load posting revision, or replacement of missing or damaged signs, immediately order the necessary signs. If the recommendation involves a removal of a load restriction, notify the local entity that the existing signage can be removed. The entire process for changing an off-system load restriction is not to exceed 30 days from the time the recommendation for change is approved by TxDOT. Monitor the timeline to ensure that this requirement is met.
3	Bridge Division Load Rating Engineer	Provide Districts with monthly reporting that tracks the status of recommended load posting changes.
4	District	Take the following steps if signs are ordered for a load posting implementation: Monitor sign making request for delivery. If signs have not been received within 7 days contact SSD sign shop to follow-up. If sign orders continue to be delayed then the issue should be elevated to district administration or the Bridge Division. Once signs have been delivered, immediately notify the local entity that signs and hardware are ready for pick up. This process should be documented in writing or e-mail. Monitor sign pick up by local entity. If signs have not been picked up within 7 days then a reminder should be sent and documented. If signs have not been picked up within 14 days after reminder then the issue should be elevated to district administration or the Bridge Division. When the local entity picks up the signs and hardware have the local entity representative sign upon receipt. Monitor sign installation by the local entity. If signs have not been installed within 7 days of receipt then a reminder should be sent and documented. If signs have not been picked up within 14 days after reminder then the issue should be elevated to district administration or the Bridge Division.
5	District	After signs have been placed or removed: Document the placement or removal of signs with photos, and upload the documentation into the Bridge Inspection Management System in the format DD-CCC-CCCC-SS-SSS_LP_PHOTOS_YYYY-MM.

Only Load Factor analysis is acceptable for most off-system structures; Allowable Stress methods should only be used for timber and masonry bridges. The recently updated Texas Bridge Load Rating Program (TBLR-LFR) is acceptable for most off-system bridges as it calculates load ratings using Working-Stress analysis for timber elements and Load Factor analysis for steel or concrete elements. The TBLR-LFR program will give an Inventory (INV) and Operating (OPR) rating for H, HS, and only Operating (OPR) for AASHTO Legal Vehicles, SHV, and EV. For all timber, steel, and truss bridges, document calculations for load ratings of all structural elements that apply, including the deck, stringers or beams, truss members, bent caps, and piling or columns. Use Figure 6-6, applying the H-loading to the table, to select the proper load posting sign type and weight limits.

Use the Procedures for Changing On-system Bridge Load Posting to place, modify or suspend EV load restrictions.