§ 31-25-21. Power to permit excess size or weight of loads.
(a) The department of transportation, with respect to highways under its jurisdiction,
may, in its discretion, upon application in writing and good cause being shown for
it, approve the issuance of a special permit in writing authorizing the applicant
to operate or move a vehicle, or combination of vehicles, of a size or weight of vehicle
or load exceeding eighty thousand pounds (80,000 lbs.) or otherwise not in conformity
with the provisions of chapters 1 — 27 of this title upon any highway under the jurisdiction
of the party granting the permit and for the maintenance of which the party is responsible.
Permits that have been issued for a full year shall not be required to be renewed
for the period of time for which payment has been made and the application and other
required documentation has been completed and filed. Provided, that neither the department
of transportation nor the local authorities may approve the issuance of permits for
divisible loads weighing in excess of the limits set by the director of the department
of transportation by and through the rules and regulations promulgated by the department
of transportation entitled "rules and regulations regarding overweight and oversize
vehicle permits�.
(1) Provided, however, that for milk products, any vehicle carrying fluid milk products
shall be considered a load that cannot be easily dismantled or divided.
(b) The director of the department of transportation may enter into agreements with other
states, the District of Columbia, and Canadian provinces providing for the reciprocal
enforcement of the overweight or over-dimensional vehicle permit laws of those jurisdictions
entering into the agreement.
(c) Single trip non-divisible permit fee. A fee of forty dollars ($40.00) shall be paid to the department of transportation
for the issuance of each non-divisible single trip permit. Upon approval of the application,
the department of transportation shall provide the approved permit. The driver must
possess the permit and documentation as required by the permit at all times.
(d) Annual blanket permit fee. An annual fee of four hundred dollars ($400) paid to the department of transportation
shall exempt the payor from the necessity of paying single trip permit fees for non-divisible
construction equipment loads, boats, or marine assets of less than one hundred thirty
thousand pounds (130,000 lbs.) as found in subsection (c). However, payment of the
fee shall not be deemed to authorize noncompliance with the rules and regulations
promulgated by the department of transportation entitled "rules and regulations regarding
overweight and oversize vehicle permits�.
(e) Blanket permits may be issued, as determined by the department of transportation,
for intrastate movement of non-divisible construction equipment loads, boats, or marine
assets upon payment of the fee set forth in subsection (d). If used in conjunction
with an annual divisible load permit, the limits and requirements of the blanket permit
shall supersede the requirements of the divisible load permit. The driver must possess
both permits and all required documentation. The duration of the blanket permit may
not exceed one year. The blanket permit load shall be limited to a minimum overall
length of fifty-five feet (55′), a maximum overall length of eighty feet (80′), a
maximum width of twelve feet four inches (12′ 4″), a maximum gross weight of one hundred
thirty thousand pounds (130,000 lbs.), and a maximum axle weight of twenty-five thousand
pounds (25,000 lbs.); provided, that the department of transportation, with respect
to highways under its jurisdiction, may, in its discretion and upon application and
for good cause shown, approve the issuance of a single trip non-divisible permit authorizing
the applicant to exceed one hundred thirty thousand pounds (130,000 lbs.) for non-divisible
loads. A flashing amber light shall be in operation above the highest point of the
vehicle and shall be visible from both the front and rear of the vehicle; and signs
and red warning flags shall be affixed to all extremities. All blanket permits issued
in accordance with this section shall be effective during daylight and night-time
hours for all over-dimensional moves made and travel shall be allowed on state highways.
The specifically described vehicle must be certified originally by the manufacturer
to possess the braking and carrying capacity for the weight specified on the application.
(f) Permission to travel is always subject to weather and road conditions. The following
restrictions on travel times shall apply to all vehicles over eight feet six inches
(8′ 6″) wide, over eighty feet (80′) long, or over one hundred thirty thousand pounds
(130,000 lbs.):
(1) Freeways and arterial roadways.
No travel will be allowed between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. or between
3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
(2) [Deleted by P.L. 2022, ch. 178, § 1 and P.L. 2022, ch. 179, § 1.]
(3) Holidays.
Memorial Day, Victory Day, Labor Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Columbus
Day — No Saturday, Sunday, or Monday day or night travel.
Thanksgiving Day — No travel on Wednesday through Sunday of Thanksgiving week in any
calendar year.
Independence Day, Veterans Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day — No day or night travel
and no travel the previous night.
Easter Sunday. No Saturday night or Sunday travel.
(4) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-25-24.
(g) Blanket permits shall not be granted for travel over the following bridges:
Blackstone River Viaduct 750 carrying I-295 northbound and southbound over the Blackstone
River;
Kingston Road Bridge No. 403 carrying I-95 northbound and southbound over Kingston
Road.
(h) Travel of blanket permits through zones with reductions in lane width such as construction
zones will not be allowed. Prior to travel, blanket permit holders are responsible
to verify the location of construction zones and lane width reductions. Locations
of lane width reduction zones are available through the state department of transportation's
construction office.
(i) Upon approval of the annual blanket permit application, the department of transportation
shall provide the approved permit. The driver must possess the permit and documentation
as required by the permit at all times.
(j) Any carrier or persons found to be operating without a required permit, or in excess
of their permit limits, three (3) times within a one-year period shall be revoked
of their ability to use and receive permits within the state for up to thirty (30)
days. Additional violations shall result in revocation of up to ninety (90) days.
(k) Operation of any vehicle in excess of the requirements of any permit shall void that
permit and result in the imposition of fines as provided in this chapter.