SPR 20-589: A Review of Kentucky's Extended Weight Hauling Programs

Extended Weights for hauling coal has been around for decades in the Commonwealth but recently new laws were passed to allow steel and oil products the same courtesy (see KRS 189.2714) as well as unrefined petroleum (HB 352). The Extended Weight Coal or Coal By-products Haul Road System is delineated using infom1ation gathered from coal transporters. The EWCHRS consists of coal haul highway system segments over which coal or coal by-products in excess of 50,000 tons were transported by motor vehicles during the previous calendar year (see KRS 177.9771). Tmcks transporting coal on this system are required to have an extended weight coal haul decal if they meet certain criteria. The statute governing coal haul has several different weight classes and corresponding fee amounts for decals while the new steel statute simply limits gross weights to 120,000 lbs. and a flat annual fee of $250 for an overweight permit. The unrefined petroleum products law is to create an Extended Weight Unrefined Petroleum Products Haul Road System that allows up to 120,000 lbs. with annual permit fees of $2,000. Such efforts also related to current statutes governing weight limits such as KRS 189.222 and KRS 189.2717. As extended weight hauling for commodities may be a trend for future markets, understanding the intricacies of current laws and recommending strategies for developing future laws, protecting roads and bridges, and ensuring compliance with current laws would be useful information for the Cabinet.