Rules for Moving Extra-Wide Loads on Roads

Loads of excessive width shall be moved or transported only during the hours between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., except in certain rural areas the issuing officer may, in his or her discretion, permit movements between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. where traffic may be diverted over an alternate route and where the flow of traffic will not be unduly impeded by the movement, provided loads of less than fourteen (14) feet in width, exclusive of eaves or overhangs of three (3) feet or less and having a clearance of ten (10) feet or more above the roadway may be moved at any time except during the hours between 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and during the hours between 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.The maximum speed of movement of the loads shall be twenty-five (25) miles per hour.When movements are permitted during day light hours, the loads shall be marked at each corner by a red flag. An escort vehicle, displaying at least one (1) red flag on each side at the front, shall precede the load. The flags referred to in this Section shall be not less than sixteen (16) inches square (two hundred fifty-six [256] square inches).When movements are made at night, the load shall be escorted by at least two (2) escort vehicles, one (1) of which shall precede the load and one (1) of which shall follow the load. The escort vehicles shall be equipped with at least one (1) oscillating amber light on the top of the cab, or one (1) blinking amber light at least six (6) inches in diameter in the front of the escort vehicle and one (1) blinking amber light in the rear of the rear escort vehicle.When it is determined by the County Engineer that proposed escort vehicles do not meet the minimum requirements of this Section the applicant for a permit mentioned in Section 16-19.6, shall contract with the Police Department at least two (2) working days prior to the moving date for use of Police Department vehicles as escort vehicles.The leading escort vehicles shall precede the load by not less than the distances shown on the following table. The speeds shown in the table represent the established speed limit for the street or highway on which the movement is taking place added to the speed at which the load is traveling.Combined Speed(M.P.H.)Minimum Distance from Load to Leading Escort Vehicle(Feet)302003524040280453205035055420604806554070600When movements are made at night, the loads shall be lighted by at least one (1) string of incandescent lamps spaced at a maximum of five (5) feet on center around the entire load. At least one (1) lamp in the string shall be located at each corner of the load. All lamps shall be located not less than five (5) feet from the roadway surface. In addition thereto, at least one (1) lamp shall be placed or located at the corners of the load and shall be red in color and not less than one hundred (100) watts each, all others may be red, white or amber in color and shall be not less than fifty (50) watts each. Sufficient lanterns shall be provided of the colors specified for incandescent lamps to be used in the event of power failure or other similar emergency to insure that the minimum lighting required by this Traffic Code is maintained at all times.The vehicle or tractor carrying, transporting or drawing a load at night shall be equipped with at least two (2) flashing amber lights of not less than six (6) inches in diameter which shall be mounted on each side at the front of the vehicle or tractor, near the headlight but not in the same horizontal line therewith.If trailers are used in carrying or transporting a load at night, the lighting of the trailer shall be as specified in Section 16-17.4.On movements of loads which require the adjustments of overhead facilities, the contractor shall provide at least two (2) experienced workers on top of the structure to lift wires and perform other work as required to insure the safe passage of the load under overhead obstructions, without damage to the wires or obstructions. The workers shall be provided with safety gloves and all other safety devices required by the State Safety Code.All military tactical movement shall be exempted from the provisions of this Section.All agricultural equipment and implements of husbandry moved on public highways in the course of normal agricultural operations, and within the geographic area in which they are normally used, shall be exempted from the provisions of this Section.