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.
