ODOT clarifies limits on emergency trucking waivers

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ODOT clarifies limits on emergency trucking waivers

For more information: (503) 373-0000, option 1 for information about over-dimension loads; (503) 378-6699 for information about registration services 

 

April 13, 2020

SALEM – As the COVID-19 emergency continues, the Oregon Department of Transportation wants to remind those providing direct assistance in the movement of necessities for the emergency of the following:

As stated in the Emergency Declaration signed by ODOT Director Kristopher Strickler, issued March 16, 2020, the enforcement of size and weight per ORS 818.400 has been suspended. What does that mean to you? If you are following the items listed below, you will not be cited by our enforcement staff:

  • On all Interstates and state highways, you may exceed legal gross weight up to 105,500 pounds. PLEASE NOTE: you must comply with legal axle weights of 20,000 lbs. for single axle, and 34,000 lbs. for tandem axles (and other group axle weights as stated on Weight Table 1, and Weight Table 2). 
  • You must be transporting items deemed necessary per the expanded Emergency Declaration issued by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on March 18, 2020. The following list is those items considered providing direct assistance:
  1. Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19;
  2. Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectants;
  3. Food, paper products, and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores;
  4. Immediate precursor raw materials-such as paper, plastic, or alcohol-that are required and to be used for the manufacture of items in categories (1), (2) or (3);
  5. Fuel;
  6. Equipment, supplies, and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID-19;
  7. Persons designated by Federal, State or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and
  8. Persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 response.
  • You must abide by all weight postings on bridges. If you exceed those weight postings, you cannot cross those bridges. The responsibility will be placed solely on the driver. In addition to the obvious safety concerns, the driver will be subject to enforcement action, and civil penalties against the motor carrier will be explored.

For information about local jurisdiction roads, please visit Oregon’s trucking related COVID-19 page here to see where these waivers may or may not apply.

If needed, please contact Oregon Department of Transportation at 503-373-0000 with questions, or visit our website at www.oregontruckingonline.com.

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