99- 420 C.M.R. ch. 1, § 10 - Overlimit Permits

Vehicles or combinations in excess of the permitted length or width provided in Section 7(L) of these rules ("overlimit vehicles") may be admitted to the Turnpike by permit, in accordance with all applicable provisions of these rules and such other limitations and conditions as may be provided in the permit.

A. Permits will be valid for one day only and will be issued pursuant to application submitted on forms provided by the Authority. In addition to the applicable fare in the regulator Fare Schedule, a permit fee of ten ($10.00) dollars shall be paid at the time of such application.

B. Permits will not be issued for any vehicles which, with the load thereon, exceeds 14 feet six inches (14'6") in overall width.

C. Vehicles which, with the load thereon, exceed ten (10) feet in overall width will be allowed to enter or exit the Turnpike only at Toll Plazas designated by the Authority, from time to time, as accommodating wide loads.

D. The right is reserved to deny permits to any vehicle which may be unsafe or hazardous to persons or property and to limit the validity of any permit with respect to speed, times of travel, weather, or traffic conditions. Otherwise, the State of Maine statutes, rules and regulations from time to time in effect governing the movements of overlimit vehicles and loads in excess in eight feet, six inches (8'6") in width, shall apply to all vehicles operated on the Turnpike pursuant to permits issued under this section, subject to the following modifications:

1. Except as otherwise authorized under subsection 5, below, movement of overlimits is permitted only between ½ hour before sunrise through ½ hour after sunset. If the destination cannot be reached within this time period, the overlimit vehicle must depart at the nearest allowable exit.

2. Overlimit vehicles will not be allowed to park at Turnpike concession areas or other parking areas overnight or for extended periods of time.

3. Overlimit vehicles will not be allowed to travel on the Turnpike during those periods of time when paving, repaving, bridge work, construction work or other type of maintenance is under way which will require the restriction of the movement of vehicles and loads in excess of 8 feet 6 inches (8'6") in width, unless specifically authorized by a permit issued by the Maine Turnpike Authority under subsection 10(F), below.

4. Overlimit vehicles will only be permitted if such vehicles can be operated in a safe and adequate manner, at a minimum speed of forty-five (45) miles per hour while traveling on the Turnpike, weather and road conditions permitting, and construction equipment will only be permitted if such equipment is truck mounted and such truck as so loaded can be operated in a safe and adequate manner at a minimum speed of 45 miles per hour.

5. Notwithstanding subsection 1, above, the State Police and the Authority may jointly authorize night moves of overlimit vehicles at such times and in such areas where public safety will not be adversely affected. In such cases, either the Authority or the State Police may require that Maine State Police personnel be present to escort vehicles performing the night moves.

E. The operator of an overlimit vehicle operated on the Turnpike must have in his or her possession any corresponding permit required by Maine law for the operation of such vehicle on state highways.

F. Other Overdimensional Vehicles. Vehicles not otherwise eligible for a permit under this section, including but not limited to vehicles in excess of the applicable weight limits under state law or the height and width limits contained in this rule, will not be allowed to travel on the Turnpike or cross any bridge over the Maine Turnpike without a special permit granted by the Authority after an individualized analysis of the vehicle, applicable bridge load ratings, and other relevant factors. The owner of the vehicle in question will be liable to reimburse all costs incurred by the Authority in relation to the analysis as a condition of receiving the permit.

Notes

99- 420 C.M.R. ch. 1, § 10