MDOT: Temporary Hurricane Timber Salvage Permit

Temporary Hurricane Timber Salvage Permit

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused extensive damage to timber in Mississippi. Damaged timber must be salvaged quickly to ensure its marketability. Literal compliance by transporters of unprocessed timber products with the requirements in Section 63, Mississippi Statutes, relating to the weight limits for commercial vehicles, may impede the shipment of unprocessed timber products affected by the disaster. To aid with timely salvage operations and to alleviate further economical damage to the Mississippi timber industry the Mississippi Department of Transportation Office of Enforcement is issuing a Temporary Order of Authority to allow the transport of unprocessed timber from the affected areas to the first point of storage or processing under the following guidelines. This Temporary Order is effective from November 6, 2005 until February 6, 2006. The affected counties are attached and will be re-evaluated every 30 days. It is the transporters responsibility to be aware of any changes to this list.

1. The weight for any such commercial vehicle transporting unprocessed timber on specified roadways maintained by the State of Mississippi shall not exceed the following:

A. The maximum Gross Vehicle Weight for vehicles equipped with five (5) weight-bearing axles with outer bridge spans of not less than forty (40) feet, but less than fifty-one (51) feet, shall not exceed ninety thousand (90,000) pounds. Tandem axles shall not exceed 42,000 lbs. Steer axle shall not exceed 20,000 lbs

B. The maximum Gross Vehicle Weight for vehicles equipped with five (5) weight-bearing axles with outer bridge spans of not less than fifty-one (51) feet shall not exceed ninety-five thousand (95,000) pounds. Tandem axles shall not exceed 42,000 lbs. Steer axle shall not exceed 20,000 lbs

C. The maximum Gross Vehicle Weight for vehicles equipped with four (4) weight-bearing axles with outer bridge spans of not less than forty-three (43) feet shall not exceed eighty thousand (80,000) pounds. Tandem axles shall not exceed 42,000 lbs. Steer axle shall not exceed 20,000 lbs

D. The total length for any vehicle identified above shall not exceed eighty (80) feet. Rear overhang shall not exceed 28 feet. Daylight movement only for any overhang 4 feet or over.

2. Nothing in this Temporary Permit shall be construed to allow any vehicle to exceed weight limits posted for bridges and like structures, nor shall anything in this Temporary Permit be construed to relieve any vehicle or the carrier, owner, or driver from compliance with any restrictions other than those specified in this Permit, or from any statute, rule, order or other legal requirement not specifically waived herein including Mississippi registration, apportioned tags, or Mississippi temporary registration.

3. Nothing in this Temporary Permit allows any vehicle to travel on County maintained roadways. The County/Counties Board of Supervisors or Designee must be contacted for permits and routing information.
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Information required for the temporary Hurricane Timber Salvage Permit:
1. Company Name
2. Phone number and Fax number
3. Signature of applicant

Questions or request for applications should be directed to Permit Office in Jackson.
Phone (888)737-0061
Fax #: (601)359-5928 or (601)359-1663
Office Hours: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm

The permittee must sign and fax the timber salvage permit to the permit office for approval.

The permittee will place a signed and approved copy of the Permit in the cab of the vehicle. If Permit is not in the vehicle it may be deemed not to be permitted and may be penalized accordingly.

Contacts:
Tommy Thames (601)359-1538
Girtha Richard (601)359-1574

Temporary Hurricane Timber Salvage Permit