Bridge Load Posting and Overload Permits

Baltimore County may at times post a bridge for weight restrictions less than Maryland legal vehicle weights. The maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) for Single Unit Vehicles and maximum gross combined weight (GCW) for Combination Vehicles in Maryland are below.

Axles	Type	Maximum GVW
2 axle	H-15	15 tons = 30,000 pounds
3 axle	Type 3 (dump truck—obsolete)	33 tons = 66,000 pounds
4 axle	Type 4 (dump truck)	35 tons = 70,000 pounds

Axles	Type	Maximum GVW
3 axle	HS-20 (semi-trailer)	36 tons = 72,000 pounds
5 axle	Type 3S2 (18 wheels)	40 tons = 80,000 pounds

EXAMPLES

For a bridge to be posted, at least one of the vehicles described above will be displayed on a highway sign at less than its maximum GVW or GCW. The weight limit will be posted either in tons (Example 1) or pounds (Example 2), depending on the type of sign used at the bridge. The silhouette-type sign (Example 1) generally displays the reduced weight limit for the obsolete Type 3 dump truck. Baltimore County is in the process of converting load posting signs from tons to pounds, however, both types of signs are in use on County roadways.

Example 1

Image of a weight limit sign with 12 tons 19 tons and 25 tons.

This sign indicates the following vehicles and their weight limit:

H-15—12 ton weight limit
Type 3—19 ton weight limit
Type 3S2—25 ton weight limit

Example 2

Restricted bridge sign reading Single 57 thousand pounds and combination 69 thousand pounds.

This sign indicates the following vehicles and their weight limit:

H-15—No restriction
Type 3 and Type 4—57,000 pounds
HS-20 and Type 3S2—69,000 pounds

OVERLOAD PERMITS

An overload permit is required to:

Cross a load posted bridge or culvert structure with a vehicle that exceeds the posted weight restrictions
Cross any County bridge or culvert structure in the inventory with a vehicle that weighs more than Maryland legal vehicles (i.e., an “overweight vehicle”), regardless of whether or not the structure is posted for load restrictions. A need for a permit in other states and jurisdictions will probably indicate a similar need in Baltimore County. Vehicles such as heavy cranes and lowboys with many axles generally fall into this category.

REQUEST AN OVERLOAD PERMIT OR RENEWAL

Failure to obtain proper permits prior to crossing Baltimore County structures will result in tickets, fines or court action. View an example of an overload permit.

The overload permit request letter must contain:

A sketch or diagram of the vehicles showing:
- Axle spacing in feet or inches
- The maximum axle weights in pounds
An accurate description of the proposed truck route or location of the structures to be crossed.

If the permittee has been issued a Special Hauling Permit by the Maryland Department of Transportation, much of the above required information is included in that permit and submitting it with the request will expedite the permitting process.

Requests to renew permits must contain all of the above information with each request, even if there are no changes to axle spacing or weight. As bridges age, a reduction in GVW or GCW may be required.

Failure to submit the permit request as described above may delay the permitting process.

There is no fee to request an overload permit. Submit your request in writing to:

Lisa K. Eicholtz, P.E., Chief
Bureau of Engineering and Construction
111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Room 219
Towson, Maryland 21204

If granted, the permit will be issued and must be carried in the vehicle when crossing the structures.

Generally, permits will be valid for a single move, however, permits requested for frequent crossings may be valid for up to one year, depending on an evaluation of the condition of the structures and the frequency of crossings.

PERMIT DENIAL

It is noted that some structures are already near their maximum capacity under normal traffic and cannot tolerate any additional weight, in which case a permit request may be denied.

STANDARD POSTED VEHICLES

Below are diagrams for standard posted vehicles. Please note that all numbers in circles are axle loads in 1,000 pounds (i.e. 6 = 6,000 pound axle load).