§ 15-49. Overweight permit limits and procedures.

(a)

Maximum permit weights allowed.

(1)

Off-road equipment.

a.

Each single axle thirty thousand (30,000) pounds.

1.

Each tandem axle sixty thousand (60,000) pounds. Any vehicle with a tandem axle weighing over forty-eight thousand (48,000) pounds must have removed all counterweights, footing plates, spreader bars and other easily removable components.

2.

Each tridum axle sixty-six thousand (66,000) pounds. Any vehicle with a tridum axle weighing over sixty thousand (60,000) pounds must have removed all counterweights, footing plates, spreader bars and other easily removable components.

3.

The maximum gross weight that will be permitted for off-road equipment is two hundred twelve thousand (212,000) pounds.

(2)

All other vehicles.

a.

Each single axle.

1.

Twenty-four thousand (24,000) pounds if the gross vehicle weight is one hundred twenty thousand (120,000) pounds or less.

2.

Twenty thousand (20,000) pounds if the gross weight exceeds one hundred twenty thousand (120,000) pounds.

b.

Each tandem axle group.

1.

Forty-eight thousand (48,000) pounds if the gross vehicle weight is one hundred twenty thousand (120,000) pounds or less.

2.

Forty thousand (40,000) pounds if the gross weight exceeds one hundred twenty thousand (120,000) pounds.

3.

Forty-five thousand (45,000) [pounds] if the gross weight exceeds one hundred twenty thousand (120,000) pounds and the spread between the axle groups is a minimum of twelve (12) feet and the spread between tires in a group is a minimum of four (4) feet.

4.

Fifty-four thousand (54,000) pounds if it is a set of trunion axles with a minimum of sixteen (16) tires.

c.

Each tridum axle group sixty thousand (60,000) pounds.

d.

Each quadrum axle group eighty thousand (80,000) pounds.

e.

Each five (5) axle group one hundred thousand (100,000) pounds.

When the gross weight exceeds two hundred fifty-four thousand (254,000) pounds, the permit request will require detailed information. Inquiries should be directed to the Webster Parish Police Jury well in advance of the movement (generally two (2) weeks). Loads exceeding two hundred fifty-four thousand (254,000) pounds may require analysis from an independent engineering firm and additional lime [time] should be allowed for that analysis. The permittee shall reimburse any analysis expenses.

(b)

Overweight permit fee schedule.

Gross weight in pounds	Distance in miles
	50	100
80,000—100,000	$30.00	$45.00
100,100—108,000	50.00	95.00
108,100—120,000	70.00	130.00
120,001—132,000	90.00	170.00
132,001—152,000	120.00	225.00
152,001—172,000	155.00	295.00
172,001—192,000	190.00	365.00
192,000—212,000	225.00	435.00
212,001—232,000	260.00	505.00
232,000—254,000	295.00	575.00
Over 254,000:	$10.00, plus $0.50 per ton-mile in excess of 80,000 pounds, plus a fee for structural evaluation based on the following schedule:
	A. $125.00 for evaluation of treated timber, concrete slab, and precast concrete slab bridges
	B. $850.00 for evaluation of truss, continuous span, bridges; and
	C. $500.00 for all other structures

 

All special permits are nonrefundable. Once the permits are issued, no permit fee will be refunded without exceptions. A special permit may be revised due to inclement weather or mechanical breakdown. Each revision will be taken on a case-by-case basis. Any special permit issued on a location basis shall be issued on an aggregate basis for the permit period. In other words, the permittee shall estimate how many vehicles, trips, and weights will be utilized under the location permit and the aggregate of the estimated vehicles, trips, and weights shall be used to calculate the permit fee.

(c)

Overweight permit bond requirements.

(1)

No overweight permit shall be issued until the permittee, permittee's owner, or permittee's principal (in the case of a contractor) furnishes a bond in favor of the Webster Parish Police Jury guaranteeing that any damage caused by the movement of the overweight load to the roads of Webster Parish shall be repaired or rehabilitated at the cost of the permittee, permittee's owner, or permittee's principal. If that damage is not repaired or rehabilitated at the cost of permittee, its owner, or principal, then the surety shall indemnify the Webster Parish Police Jury for all costs of repair or rehabilitation of the roadway caused by the movement of the overweight load.

(2)

The amount of the bond required for the issuance of a special or annual overweight permit shall be determined by the product of the total miles of movement over Webster Parish roads by the load or loads multiplied by one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) per mile. The miles of movement shall be determined to the tenth of a mile. For permits issued on a location basis, the bond shall be determined by the product of the total miles of movement over Webster Parish roads for all routes of travel covered thereunder multiplied by one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) per mile. In the case of annual permits, the Webster Parish Police Jury shall have the option of setting the bond in the amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) where the number of miles of movement will vary from time to time throughout the year.

(d)

Escorts.

(1)

Police escorts are required for all vehicles and loads that are either over sixteen (16) feet wide or over one hundred twenty-five (125) feet long. Police escorts are required when areas may require a city or parish escort or permit which requires a police escort. Contact with city or parish authorities is the responsibility of the hauler for possible requirements or restrictions.

(2)

Private escorts are required for all vehicles and loads over twelve (12) feet wide or over ninety (90) feet long.

(3)

The Webster Parish Police Jury, Webster Parish Public Works Department, and Webster Parish Permit Office are authorized to administer this policy and to enforce its provisions to deem that the following requirements for a civilian escort are met.

a.

An oversize and/or overweight permit are required for each escort movement. The driver of the escort vehicle shall make certain a permit has been issued and shall familiarize themselves with and abide by requirements of the issued permit.

b.

The escorting vehicle shall be registered according with Louisiana Revised Statues or reciprocal agreement.

c.

At no time may an escort pull a trailer, tow another vehicle, or carry a load.

d.

Each driver of an escort vehicle must have a valid driver's license issued by a state or territory of the United States.

e.

The driver of an escort vehicle must be able to read and understand this directive.

f.

The driver of an escort vehicle is responsible for the movement and shall ensure the vehicle is operated in a manner consistent with these provisions and all provisions of the permit. In the event, the driver of the escorted vehicle does not or refuses to operate in accordance with these stipulations, the driver of the escort vehicle shall terminate the movement and report this action to the proper company officials or local police authority or the Webster Parish Police Jury.

g.

It shall be the responsibility of the driver of the escort vehicle to operate as a warning vehicle only. The driver shall not run traffic lights, fail to stop at stop signs, improperly pass, etc. His authorization to warn motorist of danger shall not imply the vehicle is or should be used as a police and/or emergency vehicle.

h.

Escorts and flagman (when required) engaged in escorting loads on the roadways of Webster Parish shall present a neat appearance and shall be courteous in their contact with the motoring public at all times.

i.

All cost incidental to escorts, such as telephone calls, telegrams, etc. shall be borne by the escorter or permittee.

j.

The equipment required on escort vehicles shall be available for inspection at all times and be available for inspection on demand by the Webster Parish Police Jury.

k.

Payment of escort service shall be determined by the escorter and permittee.

l.

Escorts must be furnished for all movements in excess of one hundred twenty (120) inches in width or in excess of ninety (90) feet in length and for any other movement so designated by the Webster Parish Police Jury.

m.

In the event a police escort is required, the permittee shall pay the escort fee.

n.

The owner and /or operator of the escort vehicle agrees to hold harmless the Webster Parish Police Jury and its duly appointed agents and employees against any action for personal injury or property damage sustained by reason of the authority to escort an oversize load.

o.

The Webster Parish Police Jury will determine that proper escort procedures are complied with and shall have full authority to enforce all provisions of the permits and escort regulations. The authority to revoke permits and terminate the movement shall rest with the Webster Parish Police Jury.

(e)

Equipment required for proper escort vehicle.

(1)

The escort vehicle shall display an approved three hundred sixty-degree "emergency warning lamp". It may be a bar, strobe, revolving and stationary lamp. It shall be amber in color.

a.

There shall be two (2) solid red/fluorescent orange flags, eighteen (18) inches square, mounted at a forty-five-degree angle atop the escort vehicle. These flags are not to extend more than six (6) inches on either side of the vehicle and in no event shall exceed eight (8) feet zero (0) inches in width. These flags shall be mounted in line with the warning lamp(s).

b.

The escort vehicle must have the name and address or telephone number and the city and state of the company/owner of the escort vehicle on each front door of the vehicle, plainly legible and visible to the motoring public. Well-known company logos are acceptable.

c.

The escorting vehicle shall be equipped with two (2) rear view mirrors, one (1) on each side, so as to provide vision to the rear to ensure movement is progressing safely.

d.

Headlights and rear lights on the escort vehicle shall be lighted during movement.

e.

The escort vehicle and the towing vehicle shall be equipped with radios such that communication between vehicles is possible. The escort vehicle will be responsible for advising the towing vehicle of any conditions arising that may require cautionary action such as reducing speed, pulling off roadway, etc.

f.

The escorting vehicle shall be equipped with and have readily accessible a ten-pound, BC dry or equivalent chemical type fire extinguisher, four (4), fifteen-minute burning flares and two (2) red/fluorescent orange hand held flags. It must also have available four (4) additional red/fluorescent flags that are eighteen (18) inches square and two (2) signs with the wording "OVERSIZE LOAD." These signs must be eighteen (18) inches high and seven (7) feet in length. The lettering must be black on a yellow background and is to be ten (10) inches high with a one and one-half-inch brushstroke.

g.

For all over height loads it is strongly recommended that a clearance bar/pole of some design be attached to the escort vehicle to warn of clearance problems of the load being escorted.

(f)

Escorter.

(1)

Speed limit for the escort load is determined by the Webster Parish Police Jury, and in any event shall not exceed fifty (50) mph.

(2)

Movement shall be made on only those roadways designated on the permit. Alternate routes shall not be used unless approved by the Webster Parish Police Jury.

(3)

Movement shall be made only on dates and/or hours during times shown on the permit. No movement shall be made during the hours of darkness unless prior approval is obtained from the Webster Parish Police Jury.

(4)

An escorted movement approaching any bridge structure, which cannot be traversed safely because of an inability to distinguish potential hazards by sight, shall be parked (off the roadway where possible) and the escort vehicle shall proceed across said bridge (hill or incline). Adequate time shall be allotted to allow escort to stop oncoming traffic before the oversize movement traverse said bridge, hill, or incline.

(5)

Escorted vehicles will not impede the normal flow of traffic whenever possible. Whenever vehicular traffic to the rear becomes congested, it is required that the escort causes the movement to be halted onto the shoulder or safe location. The movement shall remain off the main traveled portion of the roadway until traffic has cleared. Movement may continue then until congestion reoccurs.

(6)

Movement shall not be made during severe/inclement weather (heavy rain, fog, etc). When the movement is in progress and severe/inclement weather occurs, it shall be the responsibility of the escort driver to have the vehicle being escorted removed from the travel portion of the roadway to a safe location.

(7)

The operator of the escort vehicle will ensure that the oversize movement is not allowed to park on the main-traveled portion of the highway unless absolutely necessary or in case of extreme emergency. Anytime the combination is parked on the shoulder or right-of-way, flares, flags, flagman, etc. shall adequately protect it.

(8)

The escort vehicle shall travel to the rear of the over-width movement [on] multi-lane roadways and in front of the escorted load on two-lane roadways. The escort must be behind over-length loads and vehicles.

(9)

The oversize load shall travel as near to the right as is safely possible to insure traffic will be able to pass as safely as possible. The escort and escorted load shall not infringe upon the opposite bound lane whenever possible.

(10)

A single escort may be used to escort one (1) or two (2) loads that are over length in one (1) movement.

(11)

An escort will be required for each over-width load exceeding twelve (12) feet in width.

(12)

The escort shall remain a sufficient distance from the movement to warn oncoming/overtaking traffic of the potential danger, but not so far as to hinder control over the movement.

(13)

Violators of these provisions or requirements shall be subject to all penalties provided by the law, including revocation of permit.

(14)

Warning flags are required on vehicles and loads, which exceed the legal width or length. Loads will be flagged in accordance with the requirements of the Webster Parish Police Jury. All four (4) corners of projecting load will be flagged, plus any load extending beyond the four (4) corners of the load. Vehicles and loads exceeding ten (10) feet in width must display two (2) signs with the wording "OVERSIZE LOAD." One (1) sign must be to the front of the vehicle. The other must be on the rear of the load, or if that does not result in an easily read sign, then the sign, must be on the rear of the vehicle. If the load exceeds legal length or rear overhang it shall display two (2) signs. These signs must be on the sides of the overhanging part of the load or, if that is not possible, then the signs must be on the side of the vehicle. If the load to the rear clears the road surfaces by at least six (6) feet then no signs are required. Loads and vehicles exceeding the front-end overhang must display one (1) sign with the wording "OVERSIZE LOAD." The sign will be displayed to the front of the vehicle. If the load or vehicle clears the road surface by six (6) feet no sign is required. All warning signs must be at least seven (7) feet long and eighteen (18) inches high. The background must be yellow and the lettering black. Letters must be ten (10) inches high with a one and one-half-inch brushstroke. All vehicles and loads which, exceed the legal limitations for width and length shall, when moving during hours of darkness, be equipped with the required warning lights.

(Ord. No. 994, 8-3-2010; Ord. No. 994-Amend., 2-1-2011)