The City of Tacoma will further reduce the maximum vehicle weight limit on the Pacific Highway East Puyallup River Bridge between Portland Avenue and Milwaukee Way from 18 tons to 10 tons.

The 10-ton limit begins May 7 and applies to all vehicles, including drayage trucks, buses and emergency vehicles. The more restrictive load limits are the result of joint damage found during a routine inspection of the bridge, which was built in 1927.

The new weight limit is expected to impact about 400 commercial trucks a day. Truck drivers who need to cross the Puyallup River in the Port industrial area can continue to use the Lincoln Avenue Bridge, Interstate 5 and State Route 509.

Weight restrictions will remain in effect until the entire bridge is replaced. The City plans to spend nearly $40 million to replace two bridge sections, but funding is needed to complete work on the four remaining sections in the future.