AN ACT Relating to the
authority to issue special permits for oversize or overweight movements;
amending RCW 46.44.090 and 46.44.091; adding a new section to chapter 46.44
RCW; and repealing RCW 46.44.038.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 46.44.090 and 1977
ex.s. c 151 s 30 are each amended to read as follows:
The department of
transportation, pursuant to rules adopted by the transportation commission with
respect to state highways, and local authorities, with respect to
public highways under their jurisdiction, may, upon application in
writing and good cause being shown therefor, issue a special permit in writing,
or electronically, authorizing the applicant to operate or move a vehicle
or combination of vehicles of a size, weight of vehicle, or load exceeding the
maximum ((specified in this chapter or otherwise not in conformity with the
provisions of this chapter)) set forth in RCW 46.44.010, 46.44.020,
46.44.030, 46.44.034, and 46.44.041 upon any public highway under the
jurisdiction of the authority granting such permit and for the maintenance of
which such authority is responsible.
Sec. 2. RCW 46.44.091 and 1989 c
52 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Except as otherwise
provided in subsections (3) and (4) of this section, no special permit shall be
issued for movement on any state highway or route of a state highway within the
limits of any city or town where the gross weight, including load, exceeds the
following limits:
(a) Twenty-two thousand
pounds on a single axle or on dual axles with a wheelbase between the first and
second axles of less than three feet six inches;
(b) Forty-three
thousand pounds on dual axles having a wheelbase between the first and second
axles of not less than three feet six inches but less than seven feet;
(c) On any group of
axles or in the case of a vehicle employing two single axles with a wheel base
between the first and last axle of not less than seven feet but less than ten
feet, a weight in pounds determined by multiplying six thousand five hundred
times the distance in feet between the center of the first axle and the center
of the last axle of the group;
(d) On any group of
axles with a wheel base between the first and last axle of not less than ten
feet but less than thirty feet, a weight in pounds determined by multiplying
two thousand two hundred times the sum of twenty and the distance in feet
between the center of the first axle and the center of the last axle of the
group;
(e) On any group of
axles with a wheel base between the first and last axle of thirty feet or
greater, a weight in pounds determined by multiplying one thousand six hundred
times the sum of forty and the distance in feet between the center of the first
axle and the center of the last axle of the group.
(2) The total weight of
a vehicle or combination of vehicles allowable by special permit under
subsection (1) of this section shall be governed by the lesser of the weights
obtained by using the total number of axles as a group or any combination of
axles as a group.
(3) The weight
limitations pertaining to single axles may be exceeded to permit the movement
of equipment operating upon single pneumatic tires having a rim width of twenty
inches or more and a rim diameter of twenty-four inches or more or dual
pneumatic tires having a rim width of sixteen inches or more and a rim diameter
of twenty-four inches or more and specially designed vehicles manufactured and
certified for special permits prior to July 1, 1975.
(4) Permits may be
issued for weights in excess of the limitations contained in subsection (1) of
this section on highways or sections of highways which have been designed and
constructed for weights in excess of such limitations, or for any shipment duly
certified as necessary by military officials, or by officials of public or
private power facilities, or when in the opinion of the department of
transportation the movement or action is a necessary movement or action:
PROVIDED, That in the judgment of the department of transportation the
structures and highway surfaces on the routes involved are capable of
sustaining weights in excess of such limitations and it is not reasonable for
economic or operational considerations to transport such excess weights by rail
or water for any substantial distance of the total mileage applied for.
(5) ((Permits may be
issued for the operation of fire trucks on the public highways if the maximum
gross weight on any single axle does not exceed twenty-four thousand pounds and
the gross weight on any tandem axle does not exceed forty-three thousand
pounds.
(6))) Application shall be made in writing on
special forms provided by the department of transportation and shall be
submitted at least thirty-six hours in advance of the proposed movement. An
application for a special permit for a gross weight of any combination of
vehicles exceeding two hundred thousand pounds shall be submitted in writing to
the department of transportation at least thirty days in advance of the
proposed movement.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
3. A new section is added
to chapter 46.44 RCW to read as follows:
(1) As used in this
section, "fire-fighting apparatus" means a vehicle or combination of
vehicles, owned by a regularly organized fire suppression agency, designed,
maintained, and used exclusively for fire suppression and rescue or for fire
prevention activities. These vehicles and associated loads or equipment are
necessary to protect the public safety and are considered nondivisible loads.
A vehicle or combination of vehicles that is not designed primarily for fire
suppression including, but not limited to, a hazardous materials response
vehicle, bus, mobile kitchen, mobile sanitation facility, and heavy equipment
transport vehicle is not a fire-fighting apparatus for purposes of this
section.
(2) Fire-fighting
apparatus must comply with all applicable federal and state vehicle operating
and safety criteria, including rules adopted by agencies within each
jurisdiction.
(3) All owners and
operators of fire-fighting apparatus shall comply with current information,
available through the department, regarding the applicable load restrictions of
state bridges within the designated fire service area, including any automatic
or mutual aid agreement areas.
(4) Fire-fighting
apparatus operating within a fire district boundary of the owner of the
apparatus, including any automatic or mutual aid agreement areas, may operate
without a permit if:
(a) The weight does not
exceed:
(i) 600 pounds per inch
width of tire;
(ii) 24,000 pounds on a
single axle;
(iii) 43,000 pounds on
a tandem axle set;
(iv) 67,000 pounds
gross vehicle weight, subject to the gross weight limits of RCW 46.44.091(1)
(c), (d), and (e);
(v) The tire
manufacturer's tire load rating.
(b) There is no tridem
axle set.
(c) The dimensions do
not exceed:
(i) 8 feet, 6 inches
wide;
(ii) 14 feet high;
(iii) 50 feet overall
length;
(iv) 15 foot front
overhang;
(v) Rear overhang not
exceeding the length of the wheel base.
(5) The department may
grant permits for fire fighting apparatus that exceed the weight limits in
subsection (4) of this section only if they were put into operation in this
state before July 1, 2001. The department shall issue the permit on an annual
basis for the apparatus to operate within the designated fire service area,
including mutual benefit agreement areas, subject to the applicable load
restrictions of state bridges referred to in subsection (3) of this section and
any other limitations stipulated on the permit. Before issuing a permit, the
department will compare the apparatus to be permitted with the bridge load
ratings for structures on state highways within the operating area. The permit
will denote any structures where access by the apparatus is either based on
special operating instructions or is denied.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 4. RCW 46.44.038 (Size and combinations
restrictions--Special permits to exceed authorized) and 1983 c 3 s 120 &
1967 ex.s. c 145 s 62 are each repealed.
