All bridges in county to undergo load ratings

A new federal requirement to re-rate all bridges for weight limits will begin in Whitman County later this month with two consulting engineers hired at the end of June.

Nicholls Kovich Engineering of Spokane Valley and Sargent Engineering in Olympia will act as consultants for a federal requirement to update bridge ratings in light of changes in truck design which can mean heavier loads.

County bridges, which are inspected every year, were last rated for weight limits in the 1990s or eary 2000s.

Last week, the county received a full listing of 120 bridges it will be required to re-rate this ye...