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PennDOT LTAPtechnicalinFormationsheet #158W i n t e r / 2 0 1 3
400 North Street, 6th Floor Harrisburg, PA 171201-800-FOR-LTAP • FAx (717) 783-9152www.ltap.state.pa.us
RecentdevelopmentofthenaturalgasindustryhasincreasedtheamountofheavytrucktrafficusingPennsylvania’sroadways.Toprotectandpreservetheroadwaystructuralintegrityandstillallowindustrialdevelopment,municipalitiesshouldestablishweightlimitsonroadways.Understatelaw,anyhaulerexceedingthepostedweightlimitisresponsiblefortheexcessmaintenanceontheroadways.
Postingandbondingbyagreementcanensurethehaulerorhaulerspayforanydamagestheycausetotheroadways.Inthisway,theroadwaysystemscanbemaintainedforsimultaneoususebyallvehicles,includingthosethatexceedthepostedweightlimit.
the goals oF posting anD BonDingThepostingandbondingoflocalroadsinvolvestwomainideas:
Posting–Postingweightlimitsoncertainroadsorsectionsofroadshelpstoprotectroadsthatwouldsufferexcessivedamagebyvehiclestransportingweightsoverandabovethepostedlimit.
Bonding–Becauseheavyhaulersmayhavetousetheseroadsorroadsections,stateandlocalgovernmentsenterintoanagreementwiththesehaulerstoallowthemtousetheroadprovidedtheypayforanyexcessivedamageduetotheirhauling.Theagreementrequiressecurityfromthehaulerstoensurethattheywillpayfortheirdamages.
Thegoalsofapostingandbondingprogramaretoensurenodeteriorationoftheexistingroadconditionsoccursduetoheavyhaulingand,ifitdoes,tomakeheavyhaulerspayfortheroaddamagestheyhavecaused.Thegoalisnottogeneraterevenues.
pennsylvania state laW anD regulations ApostingandbondingprogramappliestothepostingofweightrestrictionsbymunicipalitieswithrespecttoroadwaysundertheirjurisdictionbasedonthestructuralconditionoftheroadwayasauthorizedinPA75C.S.4902(a)and67PACode,Chapter189,HaulinginExcessofPostedWeightLimits.
Thispublicationprovidesexcerptsfromthelawsandregulationspertainingtopostingandbondingthatwouldapplytoanystateorlocallyownedroadforwhichaweightrestrictionisestablished.Italsocontainsguidelinesforadministeringaprogramandasampleagreementtobondheavyhaulers.Itdoesnotapplytorestrictionsbasedontrafficconditions(safetypostings)asauthorizedunder75PAC.S.4902(b)and67PACode,Chapter193oftheVehicleCode,ortobridgespostedindependentlyofhighwaysasauthorized
under67PACode,Chapter191.Topostanyroads,stateandlocalgovernmentsmustfollowtheregulations.Theinformationin
thistechsheetprovidesanoverviewoftheprocess.PennDOTPublication221containsspecificdetails,forms,andcheckliststhatcanbeusedtoaidmunicipalitiesintheprocess.
posting proCeDures Thefollowingstepsprovideanoverviewoftheproceduresforpostingweightrestrictionsonroads:
1. Perform Engineering & Traffic StudyThisisthefirststepintheprocess.ThestudyshouldbedoneinaccordancewithPennDOT’sTrafficandEngineeringManual(Publication46)andkeptonfileinthemunicipality.Thestudymustbesignedbyaprofessionalengineer(PE),andtheformatshouldfollowPennDOTformTE-109.Thestudywilllookatthefollowing:
posting anD BonDing proCeDures For muniCipal roaDWays
• Geometricreviewofroadwaywidth,verticalandhorizontalclearance,turningradii
• Pastexperienceofhighwaybreakup• Pavementanalysis• Trafficvolume-averagedailytraffic(ADT)
Pastexperienceinvolvesgatheringinformationfromrecordsthatshowwhatdamagehashappenedinthepastduetoheavyhauling.Apavementanalysisinvolvesastructuralanalysisoftheroadpavement.
Seasonalpostingsmaybeusedincaseswheretheengineeringandtrafficstudyandengineeringjudgmentindicatepermanentpostingsmaynotbenecessary.However,thefinaldeterminationwillbetheresponsibilityofthemunicipality.
2. Establish Local Traffic Definitions and ExemptionsInaccordancewithPACode,Title67,Chapter189.3,themunicipalitymaydesignatecertaintrafficaslocal,andthistrafficmaybeexemptedfromthepermittingandbondingprocedures.“Localtraffic”isdefinedintheregulationsas:• Emergencyvehicles• Schoolbuses• Vehiclesandcombinationsofgovernmentalagenciesandutilities
oftheircontractorsengagedinconstructionormaintenanceonapostedhighwayorinalocationthatcanbereachedonlyviaapostedhighway
• Vehiclesandcombinationsgoingtoorcomingfromaresidence,commercialestablishment,orfarmlocatedonapostedhighway,orwhichcanbereachedonlyviaapostedhighwayGenerallyover-posted-weightlocaltrafficmayexceedpostedweight
limitsunlessthemunicipalitydeterminesthattheover-postedtrafficislikelytodamagethehighway.Ifsuchadeterminationismade,themunicipalitymustnotifytheregistrantsofthevehiclesorownersofthedestinationordestinations,orboth,aswellasthestateandlocalpolice.Aftertwobusinessdaysfollowingdeliveryofthenotice(orafterfivedaysfollowingthemailingofthenotice),suchover-posted-weightvehiclesmustnotexceedthepostedweightlimitsexceptinaccordancewiththeprovisionsrelatingtouseunderpermit.
Proofoflocaltrafficstatuscanincludethefollowingdocuments:1. Abillofladen,shippingorder,orsimilardocument,whichshows
adestinationonthepostedhighway.2. Certificationbythepermitteeoranofficialofapermittee
companyonthecompanyletterheaddescribingthelocaltrafficnatureoftheactivitythatthevehicleisengagedin.Themunicipality,atitsdiscretion,mayissuea“localhaulerpermit”
toanyuserthatitdetermineswillnotcausesignificantdamagetothehighway.Ifconditionschange,thelocaltrafficstatusmayberevokedthroughissuanceofan“excessdamage-localstatusletter.”
3. Adopt a Local OrdinanceIftheengineeringstudyindicatesthattrafficshouldbeprohibitedorrestrictedonalocallyownedhighway,themunicipalitymustpassan
ordinance.Thisordinancemustbeadvertisedandpassedthesameasanyothermunicipalordinance.Thehighwaynumberandnameshouldbeshownintheordinance.Iftherestrictionisonlyforaportionofthehighway,thenthatportionmustbeclearlyidentified.
4. Provide a Copy of the Local Posting Ordinance to the Enforcement AgenciesTheappropriateenforcementagencyshouldbeprovidedwithawrittennotificationofthefollowingitems:• Eachnewpostingestablishedbyordinanceandthereason
fortheposting• Eachnewexcessmaintenanceagreementandeachcancellation
ofanexistingagreement• Localtrafficthathasbeendeterminedtolikelycausedamageand
isnowrequiredtoenterintoanexcessmaintenanceagreement.• Eachremovalofapostingthroughadoptionofarepealing
ordinance
5. Advertise Notice of PostingAdvancenoticeofthepostingshouldbepublishedatleasttwiceinoneormorenewspapersofgeneralcirculationinthemunicipalityinwhichtheroadislocated.Thefirstnoticeshouldbepublishedaminimumoffivebusinessdayspriortotheposting.Themunicipalcodesrequirepublishednoticeforordinanceadoptionpriortothemeetingatwhichitwillbeenacted.
6. Contact Known UsersThenextstepistonotifyallknownusersoftheroadtobeposted.Iftheirtransportedloadsexceedtheproposedweightlimit,thenthenotificationwillgiveuserstheopportunitytoenterintoanagreementorfindanalternateroute.
7. Enforce Posted Weight LimitsTheuserisresponsibleforthepostedhighwaytodetermineifanyoverweightvehiclesareviolatingthepostedweightlimit.Themunicipalitymustreportpossibleviolationstotheappropriatelawenforcementagency.
8. Erect Weight Limit SignsOncethestudyiscompleted,theordinanceispassed,andknownusersnotified,thenthepropersigningmustbeinstalled.TheWeightLimit(X)Tonssigns,R12-1,areusedtorestricttheweightpermittedonahighway.ThesignsmustbeerectedinaccordancewithTitle67,PACode,§212,andTitle75,PACode,§4902.
Theweightlimitsignshouldbelocatedimmediatelyinadvanceofthesectionofroadtowhichitapplies.Incaseofanextendedlength,itshouldbeplacedontheright-handsideoftherestrictedroadnotmorethan25feetbeyondanintersectionsoitisclearlyvisible.Asupplementarysignmaybenecessaryontheleft-handside.Thestandardsizeis24by30inches.
Inthosecaseswhereasinglesignwouldnotadequatelywarnthemotorist,anadvancewarningsignshouldbeplaced,usingtheMilesAheadsign(R12-1-1)mountedbelowit.Thiswouldhappenonroadswheretherestrictiondoesnotbeginorendatanintersection.Thus,theadvancewarningshouldbepostedattheintersectionnearesteachendoftherestrictedroadindicatingtheappropriatedistancetotherestriction.
AseasonalWeightLimitSign(R12-1-4)maybeusedwhentheroadwayisweakenedbecauseofclimaticconditions,especiallyduringthespringthaw.Thissignidentifiestheapplicablemonthsandcanuseadesignationsuchas“Feb.thruMay,”ifitisnotpossibletoidentifyeachmonth.
agreements With usersNowthatyouhaveproperlypostedyourroadinaccordancewiththerequirements,youmustaddresstheheavyhaulersthatneedtousethepostedroad.Wewillcontinuewiththestepsrequiredaspartoftheentirepostingandbondingprocess.
9. Define Normal Maintenance versus Excess MaintenanceTheregulatorydefinitionofnormal maintenanceis“Theusualandtypicalactivitiesnecessarytomaintaintheroadway,shoulders,anddrainagefacilitiesinthestateofrepairexistingatthedateoftheinspectionprescribedin§189.4(f )(1).”
Excess maintenanceisdefinedas“Maintenanceorrestorationorboth(butnotbetterment)ofapostedhighwayinexcessofnormalmaintenancecausedbyuseofover-posted-weightvehicles.”
This diagram shows the proper placement of the signs, including advanced
warning signs.
The chart on the next page provides guidance to help determine which category specific maintenance activities fall into.
10. Execute an Excess Maintenance Agreement Between User and MunipalityOncetheroadispostedandanon-localtraffichaulerwantstoexceedthepostedweightlimit,thehaulermustenterintoanexcessmaintenanceagreementwiththemunicipalityandobtainapermitinaccordancewiththeregulationsdiscussedpreviously.Themuncipalitymustthendecidethetypeofagreement/permit,whichisgenerallydeterminedbytheanticipatedtypeandextentofexcessmaintenanceresultingfromtheheavyhauling:• Type 1 or Type 2 permittee:Allpermitsarelocalroadwayspecific.• Type 3 permittee:Anagreementcanbeprocessedona
geographicbasis,suchascountyormunicipal-wide.
11. Determine Who Will Perform Road Damage RepairsOnceyouhavedecidedwhichtypeofagreement,thenyoumustdecidewhoperformstherequiredexcessmaintenanceduetotheheavyhauling.Thefollowingoptionsexist:
Option A:Themunicipalityoritscontractormayperformtheworkandinvoicetheuserforthecost.
Option B:Theuserorhis/herowncontractormayperformtherequiredwork.
Theusermayrequestpermissionforoneofthefollowing:• Maintainthehighwaytoalevelconsistentwiththeexistingroad
typeasestablishedatthetimeoftheinitialinspection,or• Maintainthehighwaytoalevellowerthantheexistingroadtype,
andattheterminationoftheagreement,restorethehighwaytoalevelconsistentwiththeexistingroadtypeasestablishedatthetimeofinitialinspection.Anexamplewouldbeifapavedsurfaceismaintainedinanunpavedconditionduringhaulingactivitiesandthenreturnedtoapavedsurfacewhenhaulingisterminated.
12. Encourage Agreement Among Multiple UsersTheregulationsapplytobothsingleandmultipleusers.Inthosecaseswheremultipleusersexist,themunicipalityshouldencouragetheuserstoreachanunderstandingamongthemselvesforthecostofthedamagedonebyeach.Eachindividualuserisrequiredtoexecuteanexcessmaintenanceagreement.Bylettingtheusersdeterminethepercentageofresponsibilitiesthemselves,problemsassociatedwiththepreparationoftheagreementscanbereduced.
Intheeventamutualagreementcannotbereached,thepostingauthoritywilldeterminetheirrelativeshares.ContactyourPennDOTMunicipalServicesrepresentativeifyourmunicipalityneedshelpresolvingtheissue.
13. Obtain Evidence of Public Liability Insurance from UserInallcaseswhereworkersareonthehighwayandinthosecaseswheretheuseroritscontractorperformsthework,theuser
mustprovidetheindustrystandardcertificateofinsurance.Thecoveragemustprovideforbodilyinjuryandpropertydamageinminimumamountsof$250,000perpersonand$1millionperpropertydamage.Thecertificateofinsurancemustbeincorporatedintotheexcessmaintenanceagreementasanexhibit.
Iftheusercannotorwillnotobtainliabilityinsurancecoverage,themunicipalitymayrefusetoissueanagreement,ormaintenanceandrestorationmaybecompletedbythemunicipalityand/oritscontractor.
14. Obtain Appropriate Legal Signatures from User and Execute AgreementOnceappropriatesignaturesareobtainedandanexcessmaintenanceagreementhasbeenfullyexecuted,themunicipalitymustimmediatelyforwardacopyoftheagreementtotheuser.Themunicipalityshouldmaintaineachoriginalagreementandallsupportingdocumentsduringthetimetheagreementisactiveandforanadditionalthreeyearsaftertheagreementisterminated.
the permitting proCessNext,thestepsinthepermittingprocessareaddressed.
15. Determine the Necessary Types of PermitsTherearethreebasictypesofpermitsthatamunicipalitycanissueforuseonpostedhighways:• Type 1agrementsareusedwhenthehauler
requirestheuseofapostedroadandthepostingauthorityanticipatesthatheavydamagewilloccur.Inthiscase,thehauler(oruser)hascontrolovertheheavyhaulingvehiclestravelingtheroad.Theusermustissueacopyofthepermittoeachvehicletravelingtheroad.
• Type 2agreementsaresimilartoType1exceptthattheuserhasnocontrolovertheheavyhaulingvehicles.Let’ssay,forexample,othercompaniesareinvolvedinhaulingtheuser’srawmaterialsorfinalproduct.Inthiscase,thepermitmustbeconspicuouslydisplayedattheuser’splaceofbusiness.Abilloflading,shippingorder,orsimilardocumentwhichshowstheuser’splaceofbusinessasthedestinationordeparturepointservesasproofthatthevehicleiscoveredundertheuser’sType2permit.Thispostingmustbevisibletotheenforcementagency.
• Type 3agreementsprovideauthorizationforover-posted-weightvehicleuseofseveralspecifiedpostedhighways,orportionsthereof;however,aType3permitisnotissuedprovidingblanketauthorizationtoexceedpostedweightrestrictionsthroughoutthecountycoveredbytheagreement.Atype3permitisvalidonlywhencarriedintheover-posted-weightvehiclebelongingtotheuser.Itisemployedwhentheuseofthepostedroadisshort-termandthepostingauthoritywouldanticipateminimaldamagesbythehauler.
16. Provide a Permit Application Identifying any “Special Conditions and/or Restrictions” to UserThemunicipalitymayrequirespecialconditionsand/orrestrictionstobeincludedinthepermitapplication.Ataminimum,theusermaintenanceplanshouldaddressthefollowingconsiderations:• Resultsofinitialandperiodicroadinspectionsurveys.Frequency
ofperiodicsurveysshouldbeidentified.• Identificationofpreliminarymaintenanceactivitiestobe
accomplishedpriortothestartofhaulingoperations.• Establishmentofusermaintenanceresponsibilitiesandpriorities.• Evaluationandagreementofmaintenancealternativesfor
differentdistresstypes.• Establishmentandagreementofrequiredresponsetimefornon-
emergencyrepairs.• Userpoint(s)ofcontactforroutineandemergencymaintenance
repairs.Themunicipalitymayfindthatprovidingtheuserwithadescriptionoftheexpectedlevelofmaintenance,orstandardofcare,isusefultoclarifytheresponsetime,frequency,andacceptablemethodstorepairtheroadwaydistress.
17. Determine Pavement Types Thedeterminationofthelevelofmaintenanceandrestorationshouldbebasedontheexistinganddesiredroadwaysurfacetype.Applicablegraphicsdepictingpavementtypesshouldbeattachedtothepermitapplication.RefertotheFederalPavementTypeCodes.
18. Determine Initial Security Amount Foreachtypeofagreement,regulationsspecifytheamountofinitialsecuritythatthepostingauthorityislegallyallowedtorequire.Theusermustthenprovidethissecurity.SecurityamountsasestablishedbyPACode,Title67,Chapter189,are:• Type 1 & 2 permits:
A:$6,000/mileforunpavedroadsB:$12,500/mileforpavedroadsC:$50,000/mileforanyhighwaythatthemunicipalityallowstobemaintainedbelowalevelconsistentwithtypeofhighway.
• Type 3 permit:$10,000/foreachcountyormunicipalitycoveredbythepermit.
19. Obtain Appropriate Forms of Security PennDOThasidentifiedtwostandardtypesofsecuritythatmay
beused:“performancebond”and“letterofcredit.”Municipalitiesmayalsouseothersecurityoptions,suchascertifiedcheck,cashier’scheck,bankaccount,certificatesofdeposit,securityagreements,escrowagreement,orsomeotherformofsecurityacceptabletothepostingauthority.
20. Perform Initial Inspection with UserTodeterminetheuser’sresponsibilityoncehestartshauling,apreliminaryinspectionofthepostedroadisnecessary.Theinspectionshouldbeconductedjointlybythemunicipalityanduser;however,theabsenceoftheusermustnotpreventtheinspectionfrombeingconducted.Extensivephotographyand/orpreparationofaninitialvideoarerecommended.Themunicipalitymayrecoveritscostsoftheinitialinspectionfromtheuser(s).
21. Invoice User and Receive Payment for Permit Fees Prior to Issuing PermitThemunicipalityshouldadoptaresolutionidentifyingitsfeeschedule.Thefollowingcostsmayberecovered:• Municipaladministrationfees• Inspectionfees• Videoinspectionfees• Localequipmentfees• Propertyclaimfees• Legalandengineeringthird-partyfees
22. Review User’s Final Permit for ApprovalDuringthisqualitycheck,themunicipalityreviewsthepermitforcompletenessandaccuracyandreturnsthepermitforcorrectionifnecessary.
23. Issue Permit Atthisstep,themunicipalityprovidestheoriginaltotheuser,maintainsacopyforitself,andprovidesacopytotheenforcementagencies.
Damage ControlOnceapermithasbeenissued,themunicipalitymustensurethatanydamagetotheroadwayisrepairedasrequiredintheagreement.
24. Complete Interim Inspection/Road Condition Survey Themunicipalityshouldperformperiodicinspectionstodeterminetheextentofanyrepairstheuserisliableforandtoensurethedamagesdonotexceedtheamountofsuretyprovided.Lessdetailedreviewsareconductedtoidentifyareasinneedofrepair.Theusermaybebilledfortheactualcostsoftheinspections.
Agoodruletofollowintimingthere-inspectionsisthe“75percentrule.”Neverallowthecostforrepairofexcessdamagestoexceed75percentofthesecurityamount.Iftheuserisunabletomaintainorrepairthehighway,themunicipalitymayrequestadditionalsecurity.Thereisnoupperlimitforanyadditional
security.Thesecuritywillbereturnedtotheuserwhentherepairsaresatisfactorilycompleted.
25. Provide Road Damage Cost EstimatesThemunicipalityinvoicestheuserfortheestimatedcostofrepairsusingthelatestmaintenancecontractpricesorthelatestaveragemonthlymaintenanceunitprices.Ifthisinformationisnotavailable,yourPennDOTMunicipalServiceRepresentativeshouldbecontactedtoassistwiththisstep.
26. Invoice User for Interim Inspection Fees and/or Third-Party Fees and Municipal Repair CostsTheuserisliableforallcostsofexcessmaintenanceandrestorationandallotherexpensesincurredpursuanttotheexcessmaintenanceagreement,includingbutnotlimitedtocostsrelatedtoinspections,surveys,andadministrationcosts.
27. Repair Road Damage Necessaryrepairsarecompletedeitherbytheuserorthemunicipalityasstatedintheexcessmaintenanceagreement.Ifrepairsarenotcommencedbytheuserwithinfivebusinessdaysofwrittennotice,themunicipalitymayinvoketheremediesstatedintheagreement.Theappropriateenforcementagencyshouldbenotifiedofanysuspensionsofthepermit.
28. Make Improvements or Obtain Additional Security if Damage Estimates Exceed 75 PercentAdditionalsecuritycanberequestedwhenestimateddamagesexceed75percentofthesecurity.Theamountofadditionalsecuritymaybedeterminedbythemunicipalityorthird-partyestimates,includinglocalcontractorsorPennDOTpersonnel.Failureoftheusertoprovideadditionalsecurityconstitutesabreachoftheagreement,andthepermitmayberevoked.
Oncetheamountoftheadditionalsecurityhasbeendetermined,obtainitfromtheuserasnotedin#19above.
29. Determine Appropriate RemediesIftheuserfailstocomplywithanyoftheprovisionsoftheagreement,themunicipalitymay:• Notifytheuserofnoncompliancewiththeagreement
• Requireadditionalsecurity• Requireaplantorestorecompliancewiththeexcess
maintenanceagreement• Suspendorrevoketheuser’spermissiontomovevehicles• Electtotakeovermaintenanceofthehighwayandbilltheuser• Proceedagainstsecurityprovided• Terminatetheagreement• Implementanyotherremediesallowedbylaw
Wrapping up the proCess Iftheusernolongerneedstohaulheavyloadsacrossyourroads,thefinalstepsinthepostingandbondingprocessmaybecompleted.
30. Conduct Final Inspection, and Ensure Damage Repairs Are CompleteOncetheuserhascompleteditshaulingactivity,themunicipalityshouldconductafinalinspectiontodeterminetheextentofanyrepairsneededforwhichtheuserisliable.Duringthisstep,themunicipalitymustensurerepairshavebeencompletedtothesatisfactionofthemunicipalityinaccordancewiththeexcessmaintenanceagreementandpermit.
31. Release Security to UserWhentheusersupplieswrittennotificationthattheactivityhasconcluded,allinvoicesmustbepaidinfullwithin45daysbeforetheoriginalsecuritycanbereleasedtotheuser.
32. Notify Enforcement Agencies of Cancellation of PermitThemunicipalityshouldnotifytheenforcementagenciesinwritingofthecancellationofthepermitandtheconclusionofhaulingactivities.
Byimplementingapostingandbondingprogram,municipalitiesareprotectingtheirroadsfromthedamagescausedbyheavyloadsandheavyhauling.Postingandbondingcanmakesurethatanyexcessdamagethatdoesoccurispaidforbytheheavyhaulerswhohavecausedthedamage.
Posting and bonding by agreement can ensure that haulers pay for any damages they
cause to the roadways.
need help? Each PennDOT district has a posted highway coordinator.
Ask your PennDOT Municipal Services representative to introduce you to your district coordinator, and then use his or her assistance in setting up your road posting and bonding program.
LTAP will provide a half-day training session on Posting and Bonding of Local Roads at a municipal site upon request. The session covers in detail the regulations, security amounts, and inspection procedures. There is no charge for the training. If you want to schedule a training session or if you have questions about the posting and bonding process, call LTAP at (800) FOR-LTAP (367-5827).