ADDENDUM
Requirements for Permitting Off-Road Equipment
It will be the policy of the Department to follow the ensuing requirements governing the permitting of off-road equipment on the State maintained highway system.
The Department will generally authorize a permit for the use of off-road equipment on the State maintained highway system provided it conforms to the provisions herein. Application for an off-road equipment permit and its authorization will be through the Truck Permit Office of the Department.
Off-road equipment shall be considered as any self-propelled or combination of vehicles adaptable to the highway environment which is not intended for normal operation on the highway due to its weight, size and/or configuration. This equipment will also be classified as either non-critical or critical. These vehicles shall not tow or carry loads of any kind.
Non-critical off-road equipment is not expected to produce excessive stresses in common highway bridges when operated. Critical off-road equipment, however, can produce stresses in excess of the capacity of common highway bridge if its permit requirements are not carefully met.
Non-Critical Off-Road Equipment is defined as:
1. Vehicles or combinations of vehicles without booster units.
2. Vehicles with a single-single, single-tandem, or tandem-tandem axle configuration in which no single axle is in excess of 30,000 pounds nor tandem axles in excess of 54,000 pounds.
3. Vehicles or combinations of vehicles without booster units which are determined to be acceptable in this classification by the Department’s evaluation.
Critical Off-Road Equipment is defined as:
1. Vehicles not classified as non-critical off-road equipment as defined in Number 2 above.
2. Vehicles or combination of vehicles with booster units.
3. Vehicles or combination of vehicles which are determined to be acceptable in this classification by the Department’s evaluation.
General Permit Requirements:
1. The traveling configuration of each piece of equipment will be subject to the initial approval of the Department and the approved configuration will be required on all subsequent permits.
2. The proposed route for each permit will be subject to the approval of the Department relative to operation on the State maintained highway system.
3. Off-road equipment will not be generally subject to the conditions of the critical off-road equipment permit requirements unless it is so classified.
4. Restrictions will be specified on the permit issued by the Truck Permit Office as required. Failure to comply will result in a penalty being assessed.
Critical Off-Road Equipment Permits Requirements:
1. An overweight permit with an approved route is to be obtained for each move.
2. The owner shall provide escort service during the move in accordance with the Department’s escort procedures and regulations to control traffic with the following exceptions:
a. Equipment classified as critical off-road equipment in which no single axle is in excess of 30,000 pounds, no tandem axles are in excess of 54,000 pounds and no tridum axles are in excess of 60,000 pounds shall be exempt of the escort requirements.
3. Bridge crossing requirements on highways other than Interstate:
a. Bridge roadway shall be cleared of traffic on 2-lane 2-way traffic bridges. The vehicle shall straddle the centerline of the cleared bridge roadway. This requirement is waived for bridges of this type over 300 feet in length.
b. The vehicle shall straddle the outside and adjacent lane of a roadway with 2 or more traffic lanes in the same direction. Traffic shall be kept out of the adjacent lane within 100 feet of the equipment. This requirement is waived for bridges of this type over 1,000 feet in length.
c. A speed of 5 mph shall be maintained without braking, accelerating, or changing gears with no exception.
4. Bridge crossing requirement on Interstate highways:
a. Commercial vehicles shall be prevented from traveling adjacent to and within 100 feet of the equipment. This requirement is waived for bridges over 1,000 feet in length.
b. The vehicle shall occupy the outside traffic lane.
c. A speed not in excess of 45 mph shall be maintained on bridge structures.
5. Booster axles, when permitted, shall be activated during the entire move on the State maintained highway system.
6. A copy of this letter is to be placed in this equipment to insure that the above conditions are adhered to on each move.
7. This letter of approval does not grant any authority for this equipment to cross any posted bridge(s) or for the use of any highway or road not on the state maintained highway system.
8. Counterweights are to be removed from cranes with tandem axles exceeding 48,000 pounds or tridum or greater axle groups exceeding 60,000 pounds.
|