§ 26-165. Overweight permit procedures.

Maximum permit weights allowed are as follows:

(1)

Off-road equipment.

a.

Each single axle 30,000 pounds.

b.

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

c.

Each tridum axle 66,000 pounds. Any vehicle with a tridum axle weighing over 60,000 pounds must have removed all counterweights, footing plates, spreader bars and other easily removable components. The maximum gross weight that will be permitted for off road equipment is 212,000 pounds.

(2)

All other vehicles.

a.

Each single axle:

24,000 pounds if the gross vehicle weight is 120,000 pounds or less.

20,000 pounds if the gross weight exceeds 120,000 pounds.

b.

Each tandem axle group:

48,000 pounds if the gross vehicle weight is 120,000 pounds or less.

40,000 pounds if the gross weight exceeds 120,000 pounds.

45,000 pounds if the gross weight exceeds 120,000 pounds and the spread between the axle groups is a minimum of 12 feet and the spread between tires in a group is a minimum of four feet.

54,000 pounds if it is a set of trunion axles with a minimum of 16 tires.

c.

Each tridum axle group 60,000 pounds.

d.

Each quadrum axle group 80,000 pounds.

e.

Each five-axle group 100,000 pounds.

When the gross weight exceeds 254,000 pounds, permit request will require detailed information. Inquiries should be directed to Caddo Parish well in advance of the movement (generally two weeks). Loads exceeding 254,000 pounds may require analysis from an independent engineering firm and additional time should be allowed for that analysis. The permittee shall incur any analysis expenses.

Overweight Permit Fee Schedule
Gross Weight in pounds	Distance in miles
	50	100
80,000—100,000	$30.00	$45.00
100,001—108,000	50.00	95.00
108,001—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
192,001—212,000	225.00	435.00
212,001—232,000	260.00	505.00
232,001—254,000	295.00	575.00

 

Over 254,000:

1.

$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:

i.

$125.00 for evaluation of treated timber, concrete slab, and precast concrete slab bridges.

ii.

$850.00 for evaluation of truss, continuous span bridges.

iii.

$500.00 for all other structures.

All special permits are nonrefundable. Once the permits are issued they will not be rescinded. A special permit may be revised due to inclement weather or mechanical breakdown. Each revision will be taken on a case-by-case basis.

(3)

Escorts.

a.

Law enforcement escorts are required for all vehicles and loads:

1.

Over 16 feet wide.

2.

Over 125 feet long.

b.

Law enforcement escorts are required when specific areas may require a city or parish escort and/or permit. Contact with parish law enforcement authorities is the responsibility of the hauler for possible requirements or restrictions.

c.

Private escorts are required for all vehicles and loads:

1.

Over 12 feet wide.

2.

Over 90 feet long.

d.

An oversize and/or overweight permit is 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.

e.

The escorting vehicle shall be registered according with state law.

f.

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

g.

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

h.

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

i.

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 Caddo Parish.

j.

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 motorists of danger shall not imply the vehicle is or should be used as a police and/or emergency vehicle.

k.

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

l.

All costs incidental to escorts shall be borne by the escorter or permittee.

m.

The equipment required on escort vehicles shall be available for inspection at all times and be available for inspection on demand by Caddo Parish.

n.

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

o.

Escorts must be furnished for all movements in excess of 12 feet in width or in excess of 90 feet in length and for any other movement so designated by the Caddo Parish.

p.

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

q.

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

r.

The director of public works 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 Caddo Parish.

(4)

Equipment required for proper escort vehicle.

a.

The escort vehicle shall display an approved 360-degree "emergency warning lamp," It may be a bar, strobe, revolving and stationary lamp. It shall be amber in color.

b.

There shall be two solid red/fluorescent orange flags, 18 inches square, mounted at a 45-degree angle atop the escort vehicle. These flags are not to extend more than six inches on either side of the vehicle and in no event shall exceed eight feet zero inches in width. These flags shall be mounted in line with the warning lamps.

c.

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.

d.

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

e.

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

f.

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.

g.

The escorting vehicle shall be equipped with and have readily accessible a ten-pound BC dry or equivalent chemical type fire extinguisher, four 15-minute burning flares and two red/fluorescent orange handheld flags. It must also have available four additional red/fluorescent flags that are 18 inches square and two signs with the wording "OVERSIZE LOAD." These signs must be 18 inches high and seven feet in length. The lettering must be black on a yellow background and is to be ten inches high with a 1½-inch brushstroke.

h.

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.

(5)

Escorting procedures.

a.

Speed limit for the escort load is determined by the Caddo Parish, and in any event shall not exceed 50 mph.

b.

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

c.

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 Caddo Parish.

d.

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.

e.

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.

f.

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.

g.

The operator of the escort vehicle will ensure that the oversize vehicle 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.

h.

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

i.

The oversize load shall travel as near to the right as is safely possible to ensure 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.

j.

A single escort may be used to escort one or two loads that are over-length in one movement.

k.

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

l.

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.

m.

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

n.

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 Caddo Parish (the industry standard). All four corners of projecting load will be flagged, plus any load extending beyond the four corners of the load. Vehicles and loads exceeding ten feet in width must display two signs with the wording "OVERSIZE LOAD." One 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 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 feet then no signs are required. Loads and vehicles exceeding the front-end overhang must display one 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 feet no sign is required. All warning signs must be at least seven feet long and 18 inches high. The background must be yellow and the lettering black. Letters must be ten inches high with a 1½-inch brushstroke.

o.

All vehicle 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.

(Code 1985, § 14-120; Ord. No. 4967, § 14-120, 4-8-2010; Ord. No. 5027, § 14-120, 10-21-2010; Ord. No. 5403, 6-19-2014)