Ohio Announces Overweight Permit Changes

The State of Ohio’s permit department announced less than two weeks ago that several future changes will affect nighttime moves, counterweights and holiday travel in their state. The revised stipulations are being termed as a “Pilot Program” beginning in January of 2018 and will be monitored for a six to twelve month period and then reevaluated. The intended result that Ohio is hoping to see are some major improvements in the efficiency involved in the handling of specialized transport throughout the state.

The Major Permit Changes In Ohio

The changes were summarized in a news release just issued by the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA). According to the release, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced that the new pilot program is set to commence on January 1, 2018 and includes allowing the nighttime movement of overweight permit loads that are up to ten (10) feet wide, legal height and length. 

Proposed to last for 6 to 12 months, the program also includes additional stipulations such as the routing being limited to four (4) lane roadways, the request for nighttime movement to be specifically requested at the exact same time that the application is submitted, plus that all of the lighting requirements meet those specified by the Ohio DOT’s operation guide for nighttime travel.

Additional Changes

As part of the new changes, ODOT’s Manager of Permits, Mike Mooreland also announced that the plan additionally includes the following provisions by the Ohio permit office and state permitting process:

• Modification to the Ohio DOT’s current crane agreement. This modification is intended to address recent crane chassis advancements and allow for counterweights to remain on certain cranes).
• Removal of the weekend permit travel restrictions for Good Friday and Easter weekend Holidays (as is seen in the majority of neighboring states these days).
• Future roadway and bridge construction to improve statewide permit routing
• Improvements to the online permit program website that will allow permit applicants a vastly improved improved and more user-friendly experience. The state is anticipating that this will lead to a major increase of those applying and submitting online.

Mooreland and the State of Ohio have been demonstrating that they are truly interested in improving Ohio’s transportation issues and that they are advocates for change. In 2016, Moreland was responsible for approving a one mile off permit route access provision for food, fuel, rest and repair, plus he was instrumental in raising the threshold by which overweight permits could be issued automatically in Ohio (from 132,000 pounds up to 160,000 pounds). 

If You Have Any Questions

As always, everyone here at WCS Permits & Pilot Cars is here to help you! If you have any questions regarding the new Ohio rule changes and how they may effect you, please feel to Contact Us Online now or call us at (888) 737-6483 to reach our customer service department. One of our experienced specialists can help you with any needs and questions that you may have or direct you to the expert who can.

In business since 1998, WCS has grown to be North America’s oversize load authority with five offices nationwide, including our Corporate Headquarters in Los Angeles, California, plus two Ohio locations, New York and Tennessee. With over 60 permit agents (including Spanish speaking permit agents), WCS is the national leader when it comes to super load permits, pilot car dispatching, trip & fuel permits, route surveys and equipment sales, in addition to the everyday workload of oversize load permits. Contact Us Online now or call us at (888) 737-6483 to see how WCS Permits & Pilot Cars can help you!