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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Florence VA Amended Emergency Waiver Florence 9-13-18

COMMON\VEALTH of VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
1401 EAST BROAD STREET
RICHMOND, VA 23219

Stephen C. Brich, P.E.
Comm1ss1oner

September 13, 2018

TO: Affected Agencies and Shippers/Carriers

SUBJECT: Amended waiver for carriers transporting essential emergency relief supplies or providing emergency restoration of infrastructure services.

In order to prepare and coordinate our response for potential impacts from Hurricane Florence, the Governor declared a State of Emergency exists for the Commonwealth of Virginia on September 8, 2018 and is seeking relief and exemptions for all carriers transporting essential emergency relief supplies to, through and from any area of the Commonwealth. This authorization also applies to water, food, heating oil, motor fuels or propane, or agricultural products, agricultural supplies, livestock and poultry, livestock and poultry feed, forest products and salvaged wood, waste, and trees cut in preparation for the storm, or providing restoration of utilities (including but not limited to electricity, gas, phone, water, wastewater, and cable) or removal of waste to, through and from any area of the Commonwealth in order to support the disaster response and recovery, regardless of their point of origin or destination.

As a result, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles authorizes a temporary waiver of registration and licensing requirements for carrier, and the Commissioner of Highways authorizes a temporary waiver of normal weight and width restrictions on roads controlled by the Virginia Department of Transportation, for the express purpose of ensuring that emergency essential supplies and services reach impacted areas in timely manner. This waiver is effective beginning September 8, 2018 until October 8, 2018 and includes an exemption in coordination with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, which activates the FMSCA Section 390.23 Relief of Regulations including hours of service. This waiver only pertains to statewide shippers and carriers associated with emergency relief efforts. The exemption shall not exceed the duration of the motor carrier's or drivers direct assistance in providing emergency relief, or 30 days from the initial declaration of emergency, whichever is less.

  1. All over width loads, up to a maximum of 12 feet, and over height loads up to a maximum of 14 feet must follow Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles hauling permit and safety guidelines.
  2. In addition to described overweight/over width transportation privileges, carriers are also exempt from vehicle registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles. This includes vehicles enroute and returning to their home base. The agencies cited in this provision shall communicate this information to all staff responsible for permit issuance and truck legalization enforcement.

At this time, there is an associated Presidential Declaration for Hurricane Florence in Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. By extension of the Stafford Act, the provisions of this waiver will also apply on the interstate. Possession of this document by the carrier shall serve as their overweight pennit (Not to exceed the weights as reflected on this document). Weight exemptions are not valid on posted structures for restricted weight.

TRUCK TYPE

MAX G.V.W.

SINGLE AXLE

TANDEM AXLE

3AXLE GROUP

4AXLE GROUP

3 AXLES

60,000

24K

44K

54.5K

64.5K

4 AXLES

70,000

24K

44K

54.5K

64.5K

5+ AXLES

90,000

24K

44K

54.5K

64.5K

6+ AXLES

100,000

24K

44K

54.5K

64.5K

Loads are restricted to a maximum of 12 feet wide provided they follow the hauling permit regulations and safety guidelines as published in the Virginia Hauling Pennit Manual.

This information is for immediate dissemination to preclude inadvertent ticketing or detention. Multi-agency support and cooperation is appreciated. If there are any questions, please contact Mr. Earl Sharp at (804) 786-4692.

Sincerely,
Stephen C. Brich, P.E.
Commissioner

Virginia Department of Transportation
VirginiaDO T. org
WE KEEP VfRGfNIA MOVING

Last updated: Monday, September 17, 2018