SB 566

This bill makes various changes relating to vehicle size and weight limit

permits issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT) authorizing operation of

vehicles that exceed weight and length limits on certain highways.

Under federal law, no motor vehicle may exceed specified weight limits on

interstate highways. An exemption exists for portions of I 39 and I 41, allowing the

operation of vehicles that would have been allowed to operate on those highways

prior to their designation as interstate highways. Under state law, the portion of I

41 that is exempt from the federal weight limits is defined as the "I 41 corridor."

This bill creates a similar provision for the "I 39 corridor," which is defined as

that portion of I 39 between I 94 near the city of Portage and STH 29 south of the city

of Wausau. This bill also replaces numerous references to the highway section that

is now defined as the "I 39 corridor" with the defined term.

In addition to federal law, current state law specifies weight and length limits

for vehicles operating on highways in the state. Subject to certain requirements,

DOT may issue permits to allow operation of vehicles that exceed these limits. Under

this bill, these permits may not authorize the transportation of an article or vehicle

that exceeds size, weight, or load limitations but that could reasonably be divided or

reduced to comply with those limitations ("divisible load") on an interstate highway

other than the I 41 corridor.

Under current law, DOT may issue permits for the transportation of grain, coal,

or iron on vehicles that exceed weight or length limits on any highway for a distance

of not more than five miles from the state line. This permit is not applicable to

interstate highways except for the I 41 corridor. This bill eliminates the exception

for the I 41 corridor.

Under current law, DOT may issues permits for the transportation of granular

roofing materials on vehicles that exceed weight or length limits. This permit is not

applicable to interstate highways except for the I 41 corridor. This bill eliminates the

exception for the I 41 corridor.