Purpose: To create a rule setting maximum criteria for oversize and overweight vehicles and/or loads carried by vehicles, including height, weight, width and length. Includes certain exceptions for reducible loads such as hay bales and empty apple bins.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 468-38-070.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.44.090.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 98-06-016 on February 20, 1998.

Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: Adds references to hay bales owned and transported by owners for their own use, on preapproved routes.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

April 9, 1998

Gerald E. Smith

Deputy Secretary

Operations

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 96-23-003, filed 11/7/96, effective 12/8/96)

WAC 468-38-070  Maximums for special permits--Nonreducible. (1) Overwidth: 14 feet on any two-lane highway; 20 feet on any multiple-lane highway where a physical barrier serving as a median divider separates the oncoming and opposing traffic lanes; 32 feet on any multiple-lane undivided highway.

The regulations on movement of buildings are in WAC 468-38-360.

(2) Overheight: A load over 14 feet high must be moved by permit, but the permittee is to be governed by the clearance of overhead obstructions such as bridges, underpasses, wires, overhead signs and other objects. The issuance of a permit does not insure the route to be free of low overhead structures. It is the responsibility of the permittee to check the proposed route and detour when necessary. County or city road detours for this purpose require authorization from respective jurisdictions. Vehicles hauling empty apple bins, or ranchers hauling their own hay for their own livestock, may be issued permits to haul these respective loads up to 15 feet high on preapproved routes within a three-county area.

(3) Overlength: The permit will allow movement on routes on which the permittee can negotiate curves, interchanges, entrance and exit roadways and other obstacles. In all instances the general safety of the public is considered paramount.

(4) Overweight: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 43,000 pounds on tandem axles. (RCW 46.44.091)

[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.44.090. 96-23-003, § 468-38-070, filed 11/7/96, effective 12/8/96; 83-16-018 (Order 39, Resolution No. 195), § 468-38-070, filed 7/25/83; 82-18-010 (Order 31, Resolution No. 156), § 468-38-070, filed 8/20/82. Formerly WAC 468-38-170. Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-38-070, filed 12/20/78. Formerly WAC 252-24-080.]