Chapter 230

2008 -- H 7830 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 07/05/08

A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - SIZE, WEIGHT AND LOAD LIMITS

Introduced By: Representative Donald J. Lally

Date Introduced: February 26, 2008

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-25-21 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-25 entitled "Size,

Weight, and Load Limits" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-25-21. Power to permit excess size or weight of loads. -- (a) The department of

administration transportation, with respect to highways under its jurisdiction may, in its

discretion, upon application in writing and good cause being shown for it, issue approve the

issuance of a special permit in writing by the division of motor vehicles authorizing the applicant

to operate or move a vehicle or combination of vehicles of a size or weight of vehicle or load

exceeding eighty thousand pounds (80,000 lbs.) or otherwise not in conformity with the

provisions of chapters 1 -- 27 of this title upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the party

granting the permit and for the maintenance of which the party is responsible. Permits which have

been issued for a full year shall not be required to be renewed for the period of time for which

payment has been made and the application and other required documentation has been

completed and filed. Provided, that neither the department of administration transportation nor the

local authorities may issue approve the issuance of permits for divisible loads weighing in excess

of one hundred four thousand-eight hundred pounds (104,800 lbs.), gross vehicle weight, for five

(5) axle vehicles and seventy-six thousand six hundred fifty pounds (76,650 lbs.), gross vehicle

weight, for three (3) axle vehicles.

      (b) The director of the department of administration transportation may enter into

agreements with other states, the District of Columbia and Canadian provinces providing for the

reciprocal enforcement of the overweight or over-dimensional vehicle permit laws of those

jurisdictions entering into the agreement.

      (c) Trip permit fee. - A fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be paid to the division of

motor vehicles for the issuance of each non-reducible vehicle or load permit.

      (d) Annual fee. - A fee of one three hundred dollars ($100) ($300) paid to the division of

motor vehicles shall exempt the payor from the necessity of paying trip permit fees as found in

subsection (c) of this section. However, payment of the fee shall not be deemed to authorize non-

compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the department of administration

transportation entitled "State of Rhode Island Manual for Overweight and Oversize Vehicle

Permits".

      (e) Blanket construction equipment permits may be issued, as determined by the

department of administration transportation, for intrastate movement of non-reducible loads upon

payment of the fee set forth in subsection (d) of this section. The permits may not exceed one

year and shall be limited to a maximum overall length of seventy-five feet (75') and maximum

overall width of eleven feet, eleven inches (11'11"). The duration of the blanket permit may not

exceed one year, and the construction equipment permit load shall be limited to a minimum

overall length of fifty-five feet (55'), a maximum overall length of eighty feet (80'), and a

maximum width of twelve feet four inches (12' 4"), provided that neither the division of motor

vehicles, nor local authorities may issue blanket permits for non-divisible loads weighing in

excess of one hundred thirty thousand pounds (130,000 lbs.) on less than six (6) axles, with

individual axle weights exceeding twenty-five thousand pounds (25,000 lbs.); provided, further,

that the department of transportation, with respect to highways under its jurisdictions, may in its

discretion and upon application and for good cause shown approve the issuance of a special trip

permit authorizing the applicant to exceed one hundred thirty thousand pounds (130,000 lbs.) for

non-divisible loads. A flashing amber light shall be in operation above the highest point of the

vehicle and shall be visible from both the front and rear of the vehicle; and signs and red warning

flags shall be affixed to all extremities. All blanket permits issued in accordance with this section

shall be effective during daylight and night-time hours, for all over dimensional moves made and

travel shall be allowed on state highways. The following restrictions on travel times shall apply

to:

(1) Freeways – in general.

No travel will be allowed between the hours of 7:00 am and 9:00 am or between 3:00 pm

and 7:00 pm on any day of the week.

(2) Arterial roadways.

No travel will be allowed between the hours of 7:00 am and 9:00 am or between 3:00 pm

and 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

(3) Holidays.

Memorial Day, Victory Day, Labor Day & Columbus Day – No Saturday, Sunday or

Monday day or night travel.

Thanksgiving Day – No Wednesday night or Thursday day or night travel. No travel on

Wednesday through Sunday of Thanksgiving week in any calendar year.

Independence Day, Veterans Day, Christmas Day – No day or night travel and no travel

the previous night.

Easter Sunday. No Saturday night or Sunday travel.

(f) Construction equipment blanket permits shall not be granted for travel over the

following bridges:

Blackstone River Viaduct 750 carrying I-295 northbound and southbound over the

Blackstone River;

Kingston Road Bridge No. 403 carrying I-95 northbound and southbound over Kingston

Road.

(g) Travel of blanket permitted construction equipment through zones with reductions in

lane width such as construction zones will not be allowed. Prior to travel, blanket permit holders

are responsible to verify the location of construction zones and lane width reductions. Locations

of lane width reduction zones are available through the state department of transportation's

construction office.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on September 1, 2008.

=======

LC02215/SUB A/2

=======