HF 1095

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to motor vehicles; changing allowable vehicle weights on certain
highways; extending seasonal restrictions on gravel roads; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2006, sections 169.823, subdivision 1; 169.824, subdivision 2; 169.87,
subdivision 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.823, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Pneumatic-tired vehicle.

No vehicle or combination of vehicles
equipped with pneumatic tires shall be operated upon the highways of this state:

(1) where the gross weight on any wheel exceeds 9,000 pounds, except that on
new text begin paved county state-aid highways, paved county roads, new text end designated local routes new text begin , new text end and state
trunk highways the gross weight on any single wheel shall not exceed 10,000 pounds new text begin
unless posted new text end ;

(2) where the gross weight on any single axle exceeds 18,000 pounds, except that
on new text begin paved county state-aid highways, paved county roads, new text end designated local routes new text begin , new text end and
state trunk highways the gross weight on any single axle shall not exceed 20,000 pounds new text begin
unless posted new text end ;

(3) where the maximum wheel load:

(i) on the foremost and rearmost steering axles, exceeds 600 pounds per inch of tire
width or the manufacturer's recommended load, whichever is less; or

(ii) on other axles, exceeds 500 pounds per inch of tire width or the manufacturer's
recommended load, whichever is less. This item applies to new vehicles manufactured
after August 1, 1991. For vehicles manufactured before August 2, 1991, the maximum
weight per inch of tire width is 600 pounds per inch or the manufacturer's recommended
load, whichever is less, until August 1, 1996. After July 31, 1996, this item applies to all
vehicles regardless of date of manufacture;

(4) where the gross weight on any axle of a tridem exceeds 15,000 pounds, except
that for vehicles to which an additional axle has been added prior to June 1, 1981, the
maximum gross weight on any axle of a tridem may be up to 16,000 pounds provided the
gross weight of the tridem combination does not exceed 39,900 pounds where the first
and third axles of the tridem are spaced nine feet apart;

(5) where the gross weight on any group of axles exceeds the weights permitted
under sections 169.822 to 169.829 with any or all of the interior axles disregarded, and
with an exterior axle disregarded if the exterior axle is a variable load axle that is not
carrying its intended weight, and their gross weights subtracted from the gross weight of
all axles of the group under consideration.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.824, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Gross vehicle weight of all axles.

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions
of section 169.85, the gross vehicle weight of all axles of a vehicle or combination of
vehicles shall not exceed:

(1) 80,000 pounds for any vehicle or combination of vehicles on all state trunk
highways as defined in section 160.02, subdivision 29, new text begin on all paved county state-aid
highways and paved county roads, new text end and deleted text begin for deleted text end new text begin on new text end all routes designated under section 169.832,
subdivision 11;

(2) 88,000 pounds for any vehicle or combination of vehicles with six or more
axles while exclusively engaged in hauling livestock on all state trunk highways other
than interstate highways, if the vehicle has a permit under section 169.86, subdivision 5,
paragraph (k); new text begin and
new text end

(3) 73,280 pounds for any vehicle or combination of vehicles with five axles or less
on all new text begin paved new text end routes, other than state trunk highways and routes that are designated under
section 169.832, subdivision 11 deleted text begin , except that a vehicle needing reasonable access to a
terminal or facilities for food, fuel, repairs, and rest, located within three miles of a ten-ton
route, may not exceed 80,000 pounds. "Terminal" means any location where freight either
originates, terminates, or is handled in the transportation process, or where commercial
motor carriers maintain operating facilities; and deleted text end new text begin .
new text end

deleted text begin (4) 80,000 pounds for any vehicle or combination of vehicles with six or more
axles on all routes, other than state trunk highways and routes that are designated under
section 169.832, subdivision 11.
deleted text end

(b) The maximum weights specified in this section for five consecutive axles shall
not apply to a four-axle ready-mix concrete truck which was equipped with a fifth axle
prior to June 1, 1981. The maximum gross weight on four or fewer consecutive axles of
vehicles excepted by this clause shall not exceed any maximum weight specified for four
or fewer consecutive axles in this section.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.87, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Seasonal load restriction.

Except for portland cement concrete roads,
between the dates set by the commissioner of transportation each year, the weight on any
single axle shall not exceed five tons on a county highway, town road, or city street that
has not been restricted as provided in subdivision 1. new text begin For purposes of this subdivision, the
commissioner shall set dates for gravel roads that are two weeks longer than the dates set
for bituminous roads. new text end The gross weight on consecutive axles shall not exceed the gross
weight allowed in sections 169.822 to 169.829 multiplied by a factor of five divided by
nine. This reduction shall not apply to the gross vehicle weight.