WAC 468-38-405   Superloads.  (1) What are the criteria that defines a superload in Washington state? A superload is any nondivisible load that exceeds two hundred thousand pounds and/or exceeds outside dimensions of sixteen feet in height, or sixteen feet in width or have a trailing unit(s) plus load in excess of one hundred twenty-five feet in length.

     (2) Will a special permit applicant need to provide additional lead-time for processing the superload application? Pursuant to RCW 46.44.091(5), applicants attempting to move loads in excess of two hundred thousand pounds must submit their application at least thirty calendar days in advance of the proposed move. Applicants that are attempting to move a load that does not meet the weight criteria for a superload but does meet the dimensional criteria must submit their application at least seven calendar days before the proposed move. All applications must be submitted in written form. Electronic submissions are considered as written format. These lead-times are necessary to allow the department sufficient time to perform an analysis of pavements and structures that would be affected by the proposed move.

     (3) Are there requirements for additional information to accompany the standard application form? All, or selections from, the following information may be required as part of the standard application:

     (a) Documentation that the move is in the public interest and that an alternative method of transport is not feasible.

     (b) A schematic or photograph of the item to be moved, including an explanation of why it cannot be moved in smaller pieces.

     (c) A schematic of the loaded vehicle(s), including axle loadings, axle spacings (measured from the center of each axle), tire sizes, number of tires per axle, and the proposed height, length and width of the configuration.

     (d) A traffic control plan depicting the route and specific procedures to be followed to provide safe movement along the route, including:

     (i) Identified locations where anticipated traffic delays will occur and where the delays can be allowed to clear;

     (ii) Description of any lane restrictions;

     (iii) How pilot/escort vehicles and flag persons will be used;

     (iv) Arrangements for the movement of overhead obstacles;

     (v) Identification of railroad crossings and contact information, including a pretrip analysis of each crossing to assure vehicle(s) will clear the grade;

     (vi) Provisions for emergency vehicles to navigate around the configuration; and

     (vii) Contact information for on-call services in case of mechanical failure (i.e., need to replace tow vehicle during movement).

     (4) Will the applicant bear any of the cost of analysis performed by the department? If, due to the size of the configuration, the analysis will require a significant expenditure of department resources, the applicant may be required to share in those costs. Estimates would be provided to the applicant prior to beginning the analysis, allowing the applicant to make the decision on whether or not to proceed.

     (5) If either pavements or structures are found to be inadequate, what options does the applicant have? When either the pavement or a structure on the proposed route is found to be inadequate, the permit application will be denied. The applicant must find an alternative acceptable route, or reconfigure the transported item on a vehicle(s) that can conform to the limitations of the proposed route.

     (6) Will a superload require the use of pilot/escort vehicles beyond the requirements established in WAC 468-38-100(1)? Additional pilot/escort vehicles, and/or law enforcement vehicles, may be required as a result of the dimension of the load relative to the route and the time of day the move will be made. As indicated in WAC 468-38-100 (1)(j), assignments of this nature must be authorized through the department's administrator for commercial vehicle services. The motor carrier when planning a superload move must take into consideration the potential for additional vehicles.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.44.090. 05-04-053, § 468-38-405, filed 1/28/05, effective 2/28/05; 95-24-076, § 468-38-405, filed 12/4/95, effective 1/4/96.]