[Ord. 1B-07, 7/3/2007, § 1]
This Part shall be known as "Motor Vehicle Weight Limitation and Bonding Ordinance of Richmond Township."
[Ord. 1B-07, 7/3/2007, § 2]
This Part is enacted pursuant to the authority by the Vehicle Code, Act of 1976, June 17, 1962, No. 81, § 1, effective July 1, 1977 (75 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.), as amended and is intended to include and be subject to all provisions of § 4902 of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 4902 and all Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regulations promulgated under the Vehicle Code, by way of illustration and not limitation, under §§ 4902(1) and 6103 (75 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 4902(f) and 6103).
[Ord. 1B-07, 7/3/2007, § 3]
The following words when used in this Part shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
EMERGENCY VEHICLE
A fire department vehicle, police vehicle, ambulance, blood delivery vehicle, Armed Forces emergency vehicle, one private vehicle of a fire or police chief or assistant chief; or ambulance corps commander or assistant commander, or of a river rescue commander used for answering emergency calls, or other vehicle designated by the state Police under § 6106 of the Vehicle Code (relating to designation of emergency vehicles by Pennsylvania State Police).
LOCAL TRAFFIC
Emergency vehicles and school buses, defined hereinafter, vehicles and combinations or governmental entities and utilities where their contractors are engaged in construction or maintenance on a posted highway or in a location which can be reached only via a posted highway, and vehicles and combinations going to or coming from a residence, commercial establishment, or farm located on a posted highway or which can be reached only via a posted highway. (67 Pa. Code 189.2)
MOTOR VEHICLE
Any vehicle or combination as defined and/or governed by the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq., as amended.
SCHOOL BUS
A motor vehicle designated for carrying more then 10 passengers, exclusive of the driver, and used for the transportation of school children.
[Ord. 1B-07, 7/3/2007, § 4]
1. 
The Board of Supervisors bases their findings on a Roadway Conditions and Strength Analysis dated April 20, 2007, by the Township's Engineer, William S. Bray, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A."[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Exhibit A is on file in the Township offices.
2. 
The Board of Supervisors has determined and hereby determines, based upon the aforementioned Engineer's Analysis and otherwise, that the roads listed and identified herein may be damaged or destroyed unless the permissible weight of motor vehicles is restricted to the weight limits listed. A complete list of the roads, identified by their Route Number, Street Name, Part of the Road Restricted and Weight Unit, is included in the Roadway Conditions and Strength Analysis attached hereto[2] and is made a part hereof.
[2]
Editor's Note: The Roadway Conditions and Strength Analysis is on file in the Township offices.
[Ord. 1B-07, 7/3/2007, § 5]
1. 
Pursuant to the findings under § 15-304, supra, and by authority of § 4902 of the Vehicle Code and regulations promulgated thereunder, no motor vehicle or combination shall be operated upon any of the roads listed in § 15-304 with gross weight in excess of the weight limits listed for said road in § 15-304.
2. 
Local traffic as defined herein shall be exempted from the restrictions imposed hereunder. However, if the Board of Supervisors determines that any local traffic is likely to damage the road, the Board of Supervisors will so notify the registrants of the motor vehicle or combination and will also notify State Police. After two business days following delivery of the notice, or after five days following mailing of the notice, such local traffic vehicles shall not exceed the weight limits set forth in § 15-304 and shall be subject to the provisions contained herein.
[Ord. 1B-07, 7/3/2007, § 6]
1. 
Individuals or entities wishing to operate vehicles in excess of established weight limits on restricted weight Township roads may apply for a permit to do so on a form provided by the Township. Said permit application will be referred to the Township Roadmaster who shall:
A. 
Place the issue on the agenda for a meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
B. 
Consult with the Township Engineer as necessary to determine the amount of security/bond to be posted by the applicant. The amount of security shall be calculated in accordance with Title 87, Chapter 189 of the Pennsylvania Code or its equivalent.
C. 
Present a recommendation to the Supervisors to include the amount of security to be posted by the applicant if the permit is approved.
2. 
No permit will be issued until the application is approved by the Board of Supervisors at a scheduled public meeting and, if required, security has been posted with the Township Secretary. The Board of Supervisors may, by resolution, delegate the authority to approve permits and set security to the Roadmaster or other official of the Township.
3. 
All actions taken under the authority of this section shall be taken in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as found in Title 67 of the Pennsylvania Code.
[Ord. 1B-07, 7/3/2007, § 7]
The Township shall erect or cause to be erected and maintained restriction signs designating the restrictions at the end of the portion of road restricted as provided in this Part. In the case of a restriction on a road which has not begun or ended at an intersection with an unrestricted highway, the Township shall also place an advance informational sign at the intersection nearest each end of the restricted portion of the road which would allow drivers to avoid the restricted portion of the road.
[Ord. 1B-07, 7/3/2007, § 8]
Any person operating a motor vehicle or combination upon a road or bridge in violation of the prohibitions or restrictions imposed under this Part shall, upon conviction by a magisterial district judge, pay a fine and suffer other penalties consistent with the applicable provisions of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code and regulations adopted thereunder. Those penalty provisions are incorporated herein by reference.
Name of Road
Number of Road
Length of Road
Weight Limits
Airport Road
730
1.23
10 tons
Austin Drive
492
0.32
10 tons
Benson Drive
772
0.08
10 tons
Blacktop Lane
494
0.62
10 tons
Brooklyn Road
754
1.19
10 tons
Brueilly Road
775
0.32
10 tons
Bryant Road
573
1.68
10 tons
Bullock Road
678
2.42
10 tons
Burley Ridge Road
503
0.3
10 tons
Carpenter Road
543
1.68
10 tons
Cherry Ridge Road
510
0.21
10 tons
Cooper Road
499
0.31
10 tons
Crittenden Drive
774
0.23
10 tons
East Mulberry Hill Road
732
1.42
10 tons
Erie Avenue
488
0.05
10 tons
Firetower Road
713
1.23
10 tons
Fish Road
546
0.12
10 tons
Fourth Street
505
0.11
10 tons
Hemlock Drive
485
0.15
10 tons
Hollow Road
491
1.6
10 tons
Inscho Lane
776
0.14
10 tons
Kellytown Road
571
3.34
10 tons
Kelsey Road
676
0.74
10 tons
Kingsley Road
575
1.92
10 tons
Korb Road
568
0.02
10 tons
Lake Road
680
0.48
10 tons
Lambs Creek Road
844
2.17
10 tons
Mann Creek Heights Road
542
0.61
10 tons
Mann Creek Road
545
2.68
10 tons
Mitchell Tree Road
711
0.17
10 tons
Moore Road
710
0.92
10 tons
Mudge Road
646
0.82
10 tons
Mulberry Hill Road
731
1.46
10 tons
Mulberry Lane
490
0.26
10 tons
O'Dell Road
728
1.19
10 tons
Old Mainesburg Road
507
0.32
10 tons
Orebed Road
501
4.53
10 tons
Pitts Road
497
1.95
10 tons
Putnam Road
565
0.15
10 tons
Rice Road
496
0.48
10 tons
Richmond Drive
489
0.1
10 tons
Ritz Road
521
0.3
10 tons
Schodac Road
708
1.37
10 tons
Scouten Road
519
0.81
10 tons
Shaw Road
541
2.9
10 tons
Skyline Drive
777
0.22
10 tons
Smith Road
569
1.21
10 tons
Smoke Rise Road
509
0.42
10 tons
Spencer Road
493
3.38
10 tons
Sportsmens Club Road
712
0.62
10 tons
Spruce Drive
487
0.15
10 tons
Sumner Road
539
1.58
10 tons
Thorn Apple Lane
486
0.09
10 tons
Valley Road
498
1.66
10 tons
Westgate Road
770
1.67
10 tons
Whittaker Road
495
1.6
10 tons
Wood Road
574
1.63
10 tons
[Ord. 2-10, 8/3/2010, § 1]
This Part shall be known as the "Richmond Township Oversize/Overweight Vehicle Ordinance."
[Ord. 2-10, 8/3/2010, § 2]
On or after August 31, 2010, any person or carrier desiring to operate a vehicle which is oversize or overweight, as defined by law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and in § 15-313 of this Part, on the roads owned by Richmond Township, shall file with the Township for a hauling permit and shall pay the required fee for permit by this section at least 24 hours in advance of such intended hauling. This Part does not apply to state-designated routes that lie within Richmond Township. Movement of oversize/overweight vehicles on state routes within Richmond Township shall be regulated by a permit issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
[Ord. 2-10, 8/3/2010, § 3]
1. 
The definition of an oversize/overweight vehicle, for the purpose of this Part, is as follows:
A. 
Any vehicle/load in excess of 80,000 pounds gross weight (exception for fire apparatus or other recognized emergency equipment).
B. 
Any vehicle/load in excess of 13 feet six inches in height (exception for fire apparatus and overhead light repair vehicles).
C. 
Any vehicle/load in excess of eight feet six inches in width (except those exempted in PA Motor Vehicle Code § 4921(B)).
D. 
Any single vehicle in excess of 40 feet in length.
E. 
Any combination/load that has a nondivisible load that exceeds 70 feet in length.
[Ord. 2-10, 8/3/2010, § 4]
1. 
The permit fees for oversize/overweight vehicles on Township roads shall be as follows:
A. 
Fifteen dollars general issuance fee for all oversize vehicles.
B. 
One hundred twenty five dollars blanket permit. Blanket permits are not valid for any overweight movement in excess of 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. Blanket permits are valid only for oversize vehicle loads and shall be good for the calendar year in which issued and will expire on December 31 of said year.
C. 
All future increases in said fees pertaining to this Part shall be adopted by resolution.
[Ord. 2-10, 8/3/2010, § 5]
To move a vehicle whose dimensions exceed the set limitations in § 15-313, an application must be made to Richmond Township for an oversize/overweight vehicle.
[Ord. 2-10, 8/3/2010, § 6]
The applicants for an oversize/overweight vehicle shall provide to Richmond Township proof of liability insurance with coverage limitation of not less than $1,000,000. Upon receipt of the permit fee and proof of liability insurance, Richmond Township shall provide the applicant with an oversize/overweight permit to operate in Richmond Township. The permit will list the name of the applicant and identify truck and/or trailer information, overall dimensions of the load, weight of the vehicle, number of axles and axle distance. The permit shall also list the route, origin and destination. The permit shall denote if an escort or pilot vehicle is required for the move. The permit shall be valid for seven calendar days after issuance. The Township may require, at its discretion, that a physical route survey be performed prior to issuance of permit to ensure that proposed routing can be negotiated safely.
[Ord. 2-10, 8/3/2010, § 7]
The applicant shall assume all liability for repairs and shall perform, or have performed, to the satisfaction of Richmond Township repairs to roads or structures, which have been damaged in connection with operations under this permit. To ensure no indifferences of existing roadway conditions between the applicant and Township, the applicant shall have the right to videotape the travel route and provide the Township with a copy of said video.
[Ord. 2-10, 8/3/2010, § 8]
1. 
The hours of operation for oversize/overweight vehicles in the Township are as follows:
A. 
Sunrise to sunset during weekdays as determined by the national weather forecast.
B. 
Sunrise to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.
C. 
No movement on Sunday or on any official federal, state or local holiday.
[Ord. 2-10, 8/3/2010, § 9]
All oversize/overweight vehicles traveling on Township roads shall display "oversize load" banners on the front and rear of the vehicle. The banners shall be at least seven feet wide by 18 inches high. The vehicle/load shall also display flags on projecting loads and must be at least 18 inches square. Oversize/overweight vehicles may not travel within 1,000 feet of another oversize load.
[Ord. 2-10, 8/3/2010, § 10]
1. 
An escort or pilot vehicle shall not exceed 10,000 pounds. The vehicle shall have a minimum of two flashing yellow lights and also display two "oversize load" banners on the front and rear of the vehicle. The signs shall be at least five feet wide and one foot high. The vehicle must have two way communication with the oversize/overweight vehicle. Vehicle personnel shall have the authority to direct traffic and ensure that traffic disruption is minimal. Escort personnel shall wear an orange reflective vest when engaging in directing traffic. Escort vehicles are required to carry proof of liability insurance with a minimal coverage limit of $1,000,000, naming Richmond Township as an additional insured, said proof of insurance is to be kept on file with Richmond Township.
2. 
One escort vehicle is needed when load or vehicle is in excess of 13 feet or when the total length exceeds 90 feet. The escort vehicle shall lead the oversize/overweight vehicle to warn oncoming traffic.
[Ord. 2-10, 8/3/2010, § 11]
The oversize/overweight permit does not allow the vehicle or combination to exceed posted bridge limits. If a Richmond Township road is to be used that has a bridge, burden of proof that the bridge can hold the overweight load must be proved by the applicant through a registered engineer study at the applicant's expense. If a review is required by the Township's engineer, the cost for the review will be paid by the applicant.
[Ord. 2-10, 8/3/2010, § 12]
Penalties for violations shall be as set forth in the Second Class Township Code which, at the present time, permits a criminal fine not to exceed $1,000 per violation and imprisonment to the extent allowed by law for the punishment of summary offenses. In addition, violations are subject to the provisions of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code, and all penalties permitted for oversize/overweight violations by the said Code are incorporated herein by reference and may be imposed for a violation of this Part. Enforcement may also be by an action in equity pursuant to 53 P.S. § 66601(c)(4).