...
Any vehicle or combination of vehicles which exceed 16 feet in width, 16 feet in height, 160 feet in length, or 200,000 gross weight; or a combination of any of the above is considered a super load.
Preapproval applications (PERM 12) for the movement of super loads should be submitted a minimum of at least two weeks prior to the final application for a permit.
Manufacturers of these loads are encouraged to contact the Department prior to fabrication to ensure that a permit can be issued, and to determine the appropriate mode of transportation for all or part of the overall route.
All applications for the movement of super loads shall be submitted to the Central Permit Office in Albany. The following information will be necessary for processing any super load and is required to be submitted with the permit application:
- A certification by the manufacturer or designer of the load and/or vehicle that the object or vehicle cannot feasibly be manufactured or broken down into smaller sections.
- The projected number of similar objects to be moved within the next year. Designers should obtain preliminary approval from the Central Permit Office prior to manufacturing a super load if requesting movement through New York State on or over State highways.
- Letter from the applicant taking full responsibility for any damage to structures, roads, signs, utility wires, telephone wires, cable wires, underground pipes or services and any damage caused as a result of the move.
- Applicant must provide a letter from each municipality whose highways are involved in the move, giving their permission to use their highways. This letter must be on municipal letterhead and include a contact name and phone number for the municipality. If the municipality requires a State permit prior to issuance of their permit, a letter indicating they will issue a permit contingent on a State permit being issued will be acceptable. A police escort provided by the municipal police agency involved will be accepted in lieu of a letter from the municipality.
- When the overall height is 15 feet high or greater, and there is any overhead traffic signal equipment on the route that is within three inches of the height of the permitted load while operating at normal traffic speed, the applicant must provide a signal contractor that is acceptable to NYSDOT to accompany the move with a bucket truck to move signals when necessary. These locations must be identified in the Route Survey by highway segment and intersection.
- When overall height is 14 feet or greater, and there is insufficient vertical clearance to avoid conflict with any overhead power, telephone, or cable TV wires on the route while operating at normal traffic speeds the permittee must list within the Route Survey, in order by highway segment, the location of these facilities and all remedial actions to be taken, such as: Arrangements have been made with the utility and they will relocate telephone trunk line to provide sufficient vertical clearance prior to the move; Power company will provide bucket truck and operator to lift power line during move; Cable TV company will provide bucket truck and operator during move to temporarily remove residential service line and reconnect after move. Wherever possible, utility lines shall be raised or removed and clearance established before beginning the move. Removal or raising overhead wires and cables is the responsibility of the permittee and necessary arrangements must be coordinated with the utility companies. The Central Permit Office may require verification that the utility companies have been notified and satisfactory arrangements have been made to accommodate the load and listing any requirements or conditions they have to protect their facilities and move the load safely.
- When the requested route has an at-grade railroad or other right-of-way crossing the State Highway on which the move is being made, the permittee shall certify that the vehicle(s) can safely cross the facility and provide emergency phone numbers and contact persons names from the appropriate company or agency which has jurisdiction and supply such certification to the Department prior to permit issuance.
- If application indicates a gross weight of 160,000 pounds or greater, vehicle/load must have a structural review by the Main Office Structures Division. The Department may require that the applicant have a Professional Engineer licensed in the State of New York perform the required structural analysis and prepare a report to the Department for review.
- Bonding must be in place for the following dimensions and or weights:
Load Condition Bond Amount Height 16 ft or more but less than 17 ft $10,000 Height 17 ft or more 30,000 Width greater than 16 ft 10,000 Length greater than 160 ft 10,000 Weight 200,000 lb or more but less than 300,000 lb 10,000 Weight 300,000 lb or more but less than 400,000 lb 20,000 Weight greater than 400,000 lb 50,000 If there is a combination of dimension and weight, as listed above, the total bond amount is determined by adding the bond amount required for each dimension and total weight. - A detailed “SPECIAL HAULING ROUTE SURVEY FOR OVER DIMENSIONAL VEHICLES” (PERM 85), will be required.
- If the application indicates a gross weight equal to or greater than 200,000 pounds, the following must be submitted:
- Schematic showing side and rear elevations and plan view of the complete unit (Tractor, trailer, jeep dollies) which will transport the load. This will allow for total viewing of the unit with overhangs and axle configuration.
- Number of tires per axle and tire ratings (both single and dual capacity).
- During review of the application the Department may also require:
- Manufacturer’s specifications on the: Power Unit; Trailer; Jeep dollies or any other equipment being used to transport the vehicle. This must include the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) for each axle, and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GAWR) for each vehicle transporting the load.
During review of application, if determined necessary, the Department may require signed statements from other transportation facility providers on their letterhead (typically, marine terminal operator and/or railroad company) that they are unable to accommodate a move over all or reasonable part of the overall route.
Police escorts are required for all superloads. Upon issuance of a final permit the permittee should contact police to make arrangements at least two business days prior to the move. Prior to the move, the permittee shall make arrangements for all necessary escorts, equipment, personnel or other items that must accompany the move.
During the move the Permittee must adhere to the following:
- Any special requirements that the utility, telephone and cable companies require when handling their respective lines.
- Any special requirements of the municipalities whose facilities the move transits.
- At least 10 percent, or a minimum of 5 spare tires (whichever is less), of the transport vehicle must be available with the move.
- Necessary equipment to change tires or inflate tires must be available with the move.
- Vehicle must conform to safety requirements of State and Federal Law (i.e. Flares, emergency reflectors, etc.).
- Have immediate access to an operable cell phone which has no blocks placed on the phone.
- For certain moves the Department may require that a licensed engineering firm perform an analysis and prepare a report on any or all of the bridges that the permitted load must cross. In such cases the permittee must retain the services of that engineering firm to accompany the permitted load during its move. This licensed engineer, or representative, will be responsible to make sure the permitted load crosses all structures as required by its report or as directed by the permit.
- Ensure that all Certified Escort drivers involved in the move have a valid Certified Escort license and drivers license.
- Provide a sufficient number of handheld communication devices to allow effective communication between the driver of the permit vehicle, police escorts, Certified Escorts, and any Department or engineering staff representatives escorting the permit vehicle.