La. Admin. Code tit. 73 § I-719

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-719 - Exceptional Loads Exceeding 18 Feet in Height in the New Orleans Area

A. Beginning September 1, 1994, exceptional loads exceeding 18 feet in height in the New Orleans area must contact the department's district maintenance engineer before movement begins.

B. The purpose of this contact will be to obtain district authorization for the use of state highways. The following procedures must be followed before final approval is given and the truck permit office notified that the oversize/overweight permit can be issued.

1. Utility companies and DOTD will not charge trucking companies for any adjustments required to move lines that are below the height approved by the department at the time of their installation. Old utility lines may be set at a lower vertical clearance than currently required, and in these cases the requirement at the time the line was installed will govern. In instances where the load being moved exceeds the required vertical clearance, the trucker will be required to pay in advance for any adjustments or removal that is required.

2. If an estimate of cost is desired prior to movement, it will be necessary for DOTD and the utility companies to be given four working days notice, unless unusual conditions are involved, in order to have sufficient time to survey the route and prepare the estimate.

3. When proper notice is given, DOTD and the utility companies will not charge the trucker for checking the route and preparing a cost estimate. Only one free estimate will be given for each route approval requested.

4. Each cost estimate and final billing will be itemized. Escort fees will be shown as a separate charge on the itemized bill.

5. When moving loads over 18 feet in height, the trucker is to contact the district maintenance engineer requesting a district authorization number. The district maintenance engineer will maintain a list of contacts with each utility company having lines crossing the proposed route. The mover is to call each company, give them the district authorization number, and request clearance to move. When the utility company has completed its investigation of the route involved, it will call both the company requesting clearance and the district maintenance engineer and give their approval. When all the companies involved have given their approval, the district maintenance engineer will call the truck permit office giving the company name and authorization number signifying that all the proper approvals have been received. The truck permit office will issue the permit to use the state highways only after a call has been received from the district maintenance engineer or his representative.

6. At no time, unless unusual conditions are involved, such as the physical relocation of lines or emergencies, will the movement of any load be delayed more than seven days from the point of their first contact by the mover.

7. Utility companies will provide the District 02 district maintenance engineer with the names of one authorized representative and one alternate who can approve routes for their companies.

8. The present procedure involving loads that exceed 18 feet in width will still apply even though the height is 18 feet or less.

9. Lack of cooperation on the part of any utility company will result in DOTD re-evaluating its position on applications for right-of-way permits with regard to that particular company and could ultimately result in their permits being denied.

10. If any trucker fails to follow the adopted procedures by falsifying dimensions to circumvent these procedures, the trucker will be fined if caught, and continual disregard of the policies will result in their being denied permits to move.

La. Admin. Code tit. 73, § I-719

Promulgated by the Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Highways, LR 5:26 (February 1979), amended by the Office of Weights, Measures and StandaLR rds, 22:120 (February 1996).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 32:2 et seq.