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.

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.

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Example 1

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

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.

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).

Single Unit Vehicles

H-15 (30,000 pounds)	Type 3 (66,000 pounds)	Type 4 (70,000 pounds)

Combination Vehicles

HS-20 (72,000 pounds)	3S (80,000 pounds)