Who knows the Bridge Law....or thinks they do?

Every since I started in this business I've been trying to figure out this bridge law and get a lot of confusing answers. Even when I questioned a Virginia DOT Officer a few months ago it was clear he was confused as well even with the two of us looking at his VA manual. Though I appreciated him taking time to try to answer my questions I think we were both still confused when done.

So I've got this much: bridge law is federal; it dictates MINIMUM distances between axles based on weight in an effort to curb concentrating too mush weight/stress in a small area on a bridge causing damage or failure.

I understand the formula as such: if on your 5 axle tractor trailer your steer axle is axle # 1 and your rear trailer axle is #5 and you have 34k on each set of tandems there must be at least 36 feet between axle#2 and#5.

So what I have been confused about has been all this talk about 41' from the king pin to axle#5 and in some states 40'. These have often been described to me as
"bridge law" requirements.

This can't be right for 3 reasons:

1: it contradicts the whole theory and formula of bridge law. 2: bridge law is federal so why would it differ in various states? 3: its treated as maximum distance where fed bridge law dictates minimum.

So im thinking this 41' "law"(?) Is a maximum distance dictated by states for maneuverability reasons.

Anyone help me out on this?

 

So done some more research and seems the" 41' law" as I called it is also called" kingpin law" in some circles and seems the only state that dictates only 40' from kingpin to rear axle is California. Most are 41' though some are 43-45' and West Virginia word it as 37' from last axle on tractor to first axle on trailer. I guess someone's gotta be different besides California.

Anyone else been confused by this in past? Anyone have something to add to help clarify?

Talked to a driver a few weeks ago who's buddy got a $700 ticket for being over bridge law(as it was described to me) by six inches in Connecticut . At the time I thought that meant over 41' but knowing what I know now he must of had axles slid too close for weight as CT allows 43' from kingpin to axle 5.

 

I appreciate all the responses. That" bridge" term makes sense, hadn't thought of the use of the word in different context.

 

Appreciate the link may help others understand the bridge law. What always confused me was being told not to have tandems past 41' mark due to" bridge law".

Hard to figure that out if you take the term literally and then read the formula of bridge law.

 

Oughta let em write it and hand them the permit afterwards. Let em explain to their supervisor why theyre writing tickets before checking permits.Ha.