General

Section 554 Section 554.801  General a)         The Engineer of Operations through the Permit Office, or the Regional Engineer in the District in which the event occurs, may authorize emergency moves of vehicles, vehicle combinations, or loads that exceed the maximum legal dimension and weight limitations in a disaster area without a standard permit. Authorization may also be issued for the movement of State, local agency, or leased equipment for snow and ice removal without permit.  However, normal permit requirements should be generally observed where practicable. During regular office hours, the Permit Office (217/782-6271) should be contacted for assistance in permit routing and coordinating the movement.  When the Permit Office is closed, the Department's Communications Center (217/782-2937) will contact permit officials as needed and coordinate the movement. b)         For purposes of this Part, "disaster" includes flood, tornado, fire, or any other disaster that causes or threatens loss of life or destruction or damage to property of such a magnitude as to seriously endanger the public health, safety, and welfare or that causes or threatens to cause destruction or major damage to the highway or other transportation system.  Emergency moves may be authorized: 1)         when disaster is apparent, 2)         during the disaster period, and 3)         in the initial stages of recovery. c)         Following the emergency, such vehicles, vehicle combinations, or loads must be moved from the disaster area under permit authority. d)         The Permit Office may also allow the movement of equipment that is needed to make emergency repairs to industrial installations and other facilities where delays would cause severe economic hardship.  The Department considers a severe economic hardship to be whenever the company will have to lay off one or more shifts of employees or there is a potential loss of contracts or equipment worth several thousands of dollars. e)         Companies moving at least once a month on an emergency basis, and providing emergency services as a portion of their regular business, must have  escort and lighting approval.  The escort vehicles must comply with the requirements in Section 554.408 and the extremities of the load must be illuminated.  An illuminated or reflectorized "Oversize Load" sign must be displayed on the front and rear of each load and escort vehicle.  They must also establish an account with the Permit Office or use a MasterCard or VISA credit card for the payment of fees.