Mother Nature Not Playing Nice For Agriculture Industry

Portions of Illinois and other states are experiencing a significant drought. This drought is adversely affecting hay production and pasture conditions for the agriculture industry across the region.

To assist the agriculture industry, loads of hay, transported by truck or truck tractors as defined by 625 ILCS 5/1-211 and 625 ILCS 5/1-212, not exceeding 12 feet in width are hereby authorized to be transported on Illinois Interstates with the following restrictions:

1) A copy of this authorization must be in the possession of the operator during the progress of the movement and shall be available for inspection upon request to any police officer or any authorized employee of the Department of Transportation.

2) Undertaking the movement is evidence that both the owner and operator of the equipment agree to abide by the conditions included in this AUTHORIZATION.

3) The vehicle owner and operator shall assume all responsibility for injury to persons or damage to public or private property, including their own, caused directly or indirectly by the movement authorized herein. The owner and operator agree to hold the state of Illinois and its employees harmless from all suits, claims, damages, or proceedings of any kind and to indemnify the state of Illinois and its employees for any claim they may be required to pay arising from this movement.

4) Owners and/ operators of vehicles with loads exceeding 10 feet in width must have in effect liability insurance, or be self insured, in the amount of $500,000 per occurrence combined bodily injury and property damage

5) All loads more than 8 feet 6 inches in width must display an operable oscillating, rotating, or flashing amber light(s). If the load blocks visibility of the amber light from the rear, a light must be displayed at the rear of the vehicle.

6) “OVERSIZE LOAD” signs are mandatory on the front and rear of all vehicles with loads over 10 feet in width. These Signs must have 12-inch high black letters with a 2-inch stroke on a yellow sign that is 7 feet wide by 18-inches high.

7) Flags shall be displayed so as to wave freely at the extremities of loads exceeding 8 feet 6 inches in width. All flags must be clean, and bright red with no advertising, wording, emblem or insignia inscribed upon them and at least 18 inches square.

8) Loads are restricted to widths less than those posted at construction zones or displayed on the Truck Permit Route Map at www.gettingaroundillinois.com

9) The maximum speed for loads exceeding 10 feet in width shall be 5 miles per hour below the posted speed.

10) Movements are authorized from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset.

11) Movements shall not be made during periods of inclement weather, i.e., when the pavement is covered with snow or ice or when visibility is unduly impaired by rain, snow, fog, smog, or at any time travel conditions are considered unsafe by the Department or State Police.

Per 625 ILCS 5/15-102 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, loads of hay not exceeding 12 feet in width are authorized to be transported on all other Illinois roads.

This AUTHORIZATION is effective immediately and expires upon December 31, 2012.Violation of any of the conditions of this AUTHORIZATION will subject the owner and operator to arrest, pursuant to the provisions of Section 625 ILCS 5/15-301(j) and any other applicable portions of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

For the Department,

Justan Mann

Acting Engineer of Operations