(1) Are there maximum dimensions established for moving nondivisible over-dimensional vehicles and/or loads? Yes. In all instances the general safety of the public is considered paramount and will ultimately govern over-dimensional moves. There are some general rules; however, physical barriers determine most maximums for over-dimensional moves. Over-dimensional maximums are addressed as follows:

(a) Overwidth: As stipulated in RCW 46.44.092, fourteen feet on any two-lane highway; twenty feet on any multiple-lane highway where a physical barrier serving as a median divider (i.e., jersey barrier, cyclone fence, guardrail, etc.) separates the oncoming and opposing traffic lanes; thirty-two feet on any multiple-lane undivided highway. Permits may be issued for widths in excess of the preceding limits when traveling on highway segments that by design can accommodate the greater width.

(b) Overheight: Any move involving height, especially permitted moves exceeding fourteen feet, are governed by the ability to clear overhead obstructions such as bridges, underpasses, wires, overhead signs, and other objects. The issuance of a permit does not insure the route to be free of overhead obstructions. It is the responsibility of the permit applicant to check, or prerun, the proposed route and provide for safe maneuvers around the obstruction or detours as necessary. Structures owned by the state should be reviewed with department field personnel to determine safe navigation of the move, including options for temporary removal of obstructions. Detours off the state route onto county or city roads require authorization from those jurisdictions. A traffic control plan (see WAC 468-38-405 (3)(d)) may be requested for approval by the department before a permit is issued.

(c) Overlength: Routes will be limited to over-dimensional moves based on ability to negotiate curves, interchanges, entrance and exit roadways and other obstacles.

(2) Are there maximum weights established for moving nondivisible overweight vehicles and/or loads? Yes. Weight maximums for the movement of a nondivisible load under special permit are established in RCW 46.44.091. In addition, tire loading for the movement of a nondivisible load is limited to the lesser of six hundred pounds per inch width of tire or the tire manufacturer's rating with proper inflation, as determined by the nomenclature imprinted on the tire.

(3) Are there maximums and/or other criteria established for the use of specific vehicle combinations when moving over-dimensional nondivisible loads? Yes. The maximums for specific vehicle combinations are as follows:

(a) Truck-tractor pulling a semi-trailer or full trailer: Trailers in excess of legal length and/or width dimensions, or the permitted length of fifty-six feet, shall not exceed the length or width of the nondivisible load being transported. The department may grant an exception when the added dimension is necessary to spread the weight of the load to comply with requirements established by the department to protect the infrastructure. Jeeps and/or boosters may be added to the trailer to help distribute weight as necessary. A "pusher" power unit may also be added to the configuration upon approval of the department. Jeeps, boosters and pusher power units will be considered part of the trailing unit plus load measurement.

(b) Truck-tractor pulling semi-trailer and full trailer (or two semi-trailers in B-train configuration): The combined trailer length, including the space between trailers, may not exceed sixty-one feet. This combination is limited to nondivisible loads not to exceed ten feet wide. Both trailers may carry a nondivisible load, with the widest load carried on the first trailer. Trailers in excess of legal width shall not exceed the width of the nondivisible load being transported. This combination may not carry overheight, overlength or overweight loads.

(c) Truck and trailer: There are three scenarios for this combination:

(i) Both truck and trailer carrying loads: The combined overall length of the combination when carrying a nondivisible overlength load must not exceed eighty-five feet. Any nondivisible overlength load is restricted to only one vehicle. The trailer may be loaded with the overhang entirely to the rear of the trailer, or the truck may be loaded with the overhang entirely to the front of the truck. Both truck and trailer may carry overwidth and overheight loads. The truck and/or trailer in this configuration may not carry an overweight nondivisible load.

(ii) Unladen truck and trailer: The unladen truck may be treated as a truck-tractor and the combination addressed as described in (a) of this subsection: Provided, That the truck-tractor is not carrying any load of any kind, and that its use as an unladen truck is specified on the special permit. The trailing unit is measured from the foremost point of the draw bar or load, whichever is greater, to the rearmost part of the trailer or load, whichever is greater. This combination may carry a nondivisible overweight load on the trailer. For example, an unladen dump truck may acquire a special permit to pull a tilt trailer with a dozer or backhoe where the trailer load causes the axles to exceed legal weight. An unladen truck with unladen trailer must not exceed an overall length of eighty-five feet.

(iii) Log truck with pole trailer - nondivisible poles: A log truck with pole trailer hauling a single load of nondivisible poles, where the log truck is supporting a proportionate share of the load, must be permitted for overlength based on load length, similar to a truck tractor semi-trailer configuration. Measurement will be taken from the front of load or bunks, whichever comes first, to the end of the load. No portion of the pole trailer may extend beyond the load in an overlength configuration.

(4) Can a vehicle, or vehicle combination, carry multiple pieces when using an over-dimensional nondivisible special permit? Yes, under the following conditions:

(a) The vehicle(s) and load are transported at legal weights.

(b) The largest nondivisible piece(s) must be loaded to its practicable minimum. No single piece may create a dimension greater than the dimension it would create if loaded properly and carried by itself.

(c) Additional pieces may be added within the envelope dimension created by the largest piece(s) loaded to its practicable minimum. The envelope should be viewed as an imaginary cube with height, length and width defined by the extremities, regardless of shape, of the over-dimensional piece(s) and other legal dimensions as necessary. The department will provide an illustrative example upon request.

(5) Are there any circumstances when an over-dimensional vehicle(s) can move a legal size load? Yes, when the following conditions have been met:

(a) The vehicle(s) are making the move in conjunction with being in route to pick up a nondivisible load under special permit (front haul); or

(b) The vehicle(s) are making the move in conjunction with returning from a delivery of a nondivisible load under special permit (back haul); and

(c) The route traveled is the same route that would have been used if a legal load had not been moved; and

(d) The front haul or back haul is noted on the special permit used for the nondivisible move.