2024 New Hampshire Winter Frost/spring Thaw Laws and Seasonal Weight Restrictions
In adherence to customary spring load limits, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, under the direction of Commissioner George Campbell, has initiated annual road postings on select sections of the State highway system per State law. Certain road segments become susceptible to pavement deterioration as frost recedes from the underlying road base as temperatures rise. Road postings are determined annually by local NHDOT District Engineers, who meticulously evaluate each roadway within their jurisdiction before imposing load restrictions. The permissible vehicular weight on the designated sections of State highways is restricted to half of the normally authorized legal load (RSA 236:3-a).
New Hampshire Overweight Restrictions
Escort vehicle requirements are specified for various scenarios, including manufactured housing, modular buildings, and building components. An escort vehicle is mandated for oversized vehicles or loads meeting specific dimensional criteria. The need for state police escorts is contingent upon the length of the vehicle and load, with considerations for weather conditions, visibility, traffic flow, and other safety factors. Regarding axle regulations, New Hampshire enforces maximum legal weight limits for single, tandem, and tridem axles, as well as overall gross vehicle weight (GVW). Furthermore, axle weight limits for specific truck configurations and combinations are outlined to ensure compliance. The maximum allowable vehicular weight posted on sections of State highways is 30,000 pounds gross weight, or the cumulative width in inches of all tires contacting the road surface multiplied by 300, whichever is less.
Oversize and Overweight Permits
In special permits requiring oversize/overweight (OS/OW) permits, submission to Bridge Design for bridge review is mandated under specified conditions, including load postings, axle spacing, and axle weight limitations. For regulatory compliance, the issuance of Trip and Fuel permits, priced at $15.00 and $10.00, respectively, is required for a 72-hour duration. In the event of non-compliance with weight restrictions, fines are stipulated based on the degree of violation, with penalties ranging from $100 for a first offense to $250 for subsequent offenses within the registration year. Additionally, fines for vehicles exceeding weight limits specified for bridges are subject to penalties of up to $400. The State of New Hampshire maintains a comprehensive regulatory framework to safeguard its road infrastructure, ensure the safe transport of oversized loads, and penalize non-compliance with established weight restrictions.
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