As a result of MDOT’s recent mobility policy, there has been more night work. This promotes mobility for the motoring public during the daytime but presents a new set of problems for the movement of construction equipment during the nighttime. A major obstacle for nighttime movement lies with the stated restriction in the MDOT “Extended Transportation Permit for the Movement of Overweight/Oversize Construction Equipment” that only allows overweight vehicles to move during the hours of darkness.
To complicate this matter, there appears to be an increase in enforcement by the Michigan State Police of “overweight only” for nighttime travel that has increased the ticketing for over-length nighttime travel.
MITA contacted MDOT regarding the hardship caused by not allowing the movement of over-length equipment to and from construction projects during the nighttime hours and has requested that the Extended Transportation Permit be revised to allow for vehicles and loads that are “within permitted weights and lengths” to travel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and all holidays. MDOT is currently investigating any obstacles that would present themselves by allowing overweight and over-length nighttime travel.
In the interim to help alleviate the over-length nighttime movement restriction, MDOT provided MITA with a copy of the internal form for the “Application for Special Approval for Movement of Oversize and/or Overweight Loads”. This application (Click here) is to be filled out by the MDOT Delivery Engineer and would allow for 24/7 movement or any other special consideration that may be warranted. MITA is encouraging contractors that have been affected by the current nighttime over-length movement limitations to work with the MDOT TSC offices to get their approval for the movement of your equipment.
If you are having problems with nighttime movements please contact Glenn Bukoski at glennbukoski@mi-ita.com or Doug Needham at douglasneedham@mi-ita.com or call them at the MITA office at 517-347-8336 and share your experiences.
