This article shall be known as "Motor Vehicle Weight Limitation and Bonding Ordinance of Blair Township."
[Amended 9-13-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-03]
This article is enacted pursuant to the authority conferred by the Vehicle Code, Act of 1976, June 17, 1962, No. 81, Section 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 Section 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 Sections 4902(f) and 6103 [75 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 4902(f) and 6103].
The following words when used in this article shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
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 Section 6106 of the Vehicle Code[1] (relating to designation of emergency vehicles by Pennsylvania State Police).
Maintenance or restoration or both (but not betterment) of a posted highway in excess of normal maintenance, caused by use of over-posted-weight vehicles.
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 or farm located on a posted highway or which can be reached only via a posted highway.
Any vehicle or combination as defined and/or governed by the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A., § 101 et seq., as amended.
The Department, as to state-designated highways and local authorities, as to all other streets and highways.
The usual and typical activities necessary to maintain the roadway, shoulders and drainage facilities in the state of repair existing at the date of the inspection prescribed in 67 Pa. Code § 189.4(f)(1) (relating to use under permit).
A vehicle or combination having a gross weight in excess of a posted weight limit.
A highway having a posted weight limit.
A restricted weight limit posted on a highway under authority of 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 4902.
A motor vehicle designated for carrying more than 10 passengers, exclusive of the driver, and used for the transportation of school children.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 6106.
The Board of Supervisors has determined and hereby determines based upon weight and size restrictions based on highway conditions and studies and otherwise that the following roads be damaged or destroyed unless the permissible weight of motor vehicles is restricted to the weight limits listed:
Route Numbers | Street Name | Between | Weight Limit (tons) |
|---|---|---|---|
TR-575 | Brooks Boulevard | Entire length | 10 |
TR-373 | Catfish Road | Entire length | 10 |
TR-407 | Forsht Drive | Entire length | 10 |
TR-588 | Mill Road | Entire length | 10 |
TR-375 | Monastery Road | Entire length | 10 |
A.
Pursuant to the findings under § 375-31, supra, and by authority of Section 4902 of the Vehicle Code[1] and regulations promulgated thereunder, no motor vehicle or combination shall be operated upon any of the roads listed § 375-31 with gross weight in excess of the weight limits listed for said road in § 375-31.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 4902.
B.
Local traffic as defined herein may be exempted from the restrictions imposed under Subsection A above. However, if the Board of Supervisors determines that any local traffic is likely to damage the road, the Board of Supervisors 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 except in accordance with § 375-33 hereof. Title 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 4902(a) states "school buses, emergency vehicles and vehicles making local deliveries or pickups may be exempted from restriction on the use of highways imposed under this subsection."
A.
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, Public Works Director, Supervisor, Road Foreman, or other designated decision-maker who shall:
(1)
Place the issue on the agenda for a meeting of the Board of Supervisors; and
(2)
Consult with the third-party consultant 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 Chapter 189 of Title 67 of the Pennsylvania Code or its equivalent; and
(3)
Present a recommendation to the Supervisors to include the amount of security to be posted by the applicant if the permit is approved.
B.
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.
C.
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.
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 article. 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 road.[1]