Weight Limit Waivers
Protecting state highways from premature deterioration is an important responsibility of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). MDOT continues to partner with the Michigan State Police (MSP) in regard to commercial vehicle enforcement. As MDOT and MSP work to provide positive improvements for the motoring public in the areas of commercial vehicle safety and size regulation, your assistance in managing construction project equipment traveling on Michigan roadways is requested.
Please be advised that it is not appropriate to issue overweight or oversize waivers for construction vehicles or equipment. MDOT does not have the legal authority to issue such waivers. In some circumstances, when citations are issued by the MSP or local authorities, contractors have made requests for weight limit waivers to MDOT project staff, and the contractors have made it appear as though these requests are typically granted for all MDOT projects. If waivers were issued in the past by MDOT personnel, they were illegal.
When operating overweight or oversize vehicles including construction equipment, on roadways, structures, or portions of roadways that are open to traffic, the contractor must adhere to all state laws and the Michigan Vehicle Code. When operating vehicles or construction equipment on pavements and structures that are closed to traffic within work zones, the contractor must follow the requirements described in Subsection 104.11 of the Standard Specifications for Construction.
When operating overweight or oversize vehicles including construction equipment, on roadways, structures, or portions of roadways that are open to traffic, the contractor must adhere to all state laws and the Michigan Vehicle Code. When operating vehicles or construction equipment on pavements and structures that are closed to traffic within work zones, the contractor must follow the requirements described in Subsection 104.11 of the Standard Specifications for Construction.
Overweight permit loads shall not be allowed on a structure being constructed part-width. When a bridge project includes part-width construction, the bridge design engineer will coordinate with the delivery engineer to process a Construction Restriction Bulletin Request (Form 2464) prior to letting the project. The delivery engineer will send a copy of the form to MDOT’s Transport Permit Unit at the following e-mail address: MDOT-OSOW-Restrictions@michigan.gov , the Michigan Sate Police – Traffic Safety Division area supervisor, and local agencies as applicable.
If construction will affect the movement of loads that exceed any of the following legal dimensions: 8’6” in width, 13’6” in height, 80’ in overall length or overweight, then email the completed Form 2464 to MDOT-OSOW-Restrictions@michigan.gov.