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NEWPORT — Pend Oreille County is in the process of adopting a revised Seasonal and Emergency Weight Restriction Policy for county roads.
This update aims to simplify the regulations and improve signage that notifies the public when weight restrictions are in effect to enhance the protection of county roads during periods when they are most vulnerable to damage.
The proposed restriction framework and signage align with the system used in Stevens County. According to the revised policy, there will be two levels of restriction.
Under stage two restrictions, all vehicles not classified as Class I may haul loads under specific conditions, with unrestricted hauling of legal loads permitted between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m. and the movement of unloaded vehicles permitted between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Under stage three restrictions, all vehicles not classified as Class I may only haul under a special permit.
Class I vehicles are exempt from weight restrictions and include school buses, authorized emergency vehicles, communication and power company vehicles performing emergency repairs and non-commercial vehicles with a licensed Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,000 pounds or less.
Weight restrictions are implemented to safeguard county roads in two conditions — when frost thaws, causing roadbeds to soften, and during extended wet weather periods. Both circumstances can “significantly” compromise the structural integrity of roads, making them susceptible to severe and costly damage, according to a county press release. The county enforces weight restrictions to ensure that road surfaces remain intact and safe for public use.
For more information on road restrictions and how they may impact travel and hauling schedules, or to sign up for email updates, residents can visit the Pend Oreille County Public Works Department website at pendoreille.gov/public- works/page/road-bridge-restrictions-closures.
