What are the rules for oversize loads on WA freeways? A closer look after two rigs parked illegally on I-5

It was two weeks ago today that I noticed two oversize loads parked along northbound I-5 near SeaTac. They were quite a distraction, causing unnecessary slowing through the area.

It got me thinking. What are the rules for those big rigs?

These were two giant lowboys carrying large excavators or other heavy machinery that appeared to be traveling together. They pulled off the freeway at the start of the commute around 6 a.m. and were gone at 9 a.m. At first I thought one or both of them had broken down, but I never saw a mechanic show up. I never saw a Washington State Trooper (WSP) or an IRT rig. No lanes were ever blocked for a response.

It turns out they just parked on the side of the road to let the commute go by. Why?

It turns out that oversize loads are prohibited from driving on most freeways during the morning and afternoon commutes. WSP commercial vehicle enforcement officer Andrew Stevens told me they are just too big to share the roads during the busiest times of day.

“Over-width loads are typically taking up a full lane and then some, and we don’t want them taking up one full lane plus, which you know already causes the backup as it is, and now they’re taking up a full lane plus during the morning and afternoon commutes,” he said.

Stevens said the two lowboys I found hanging out on the side of I-5 shouldn’t have been there in the first place.

“Legally, they cannot be stopped on the shoulders of I-5 or I-405 like that,” he said. “That was poor judgment on those drivers’ part. They can’t legally be stopped on a shoulder.”

Oversize load drivers face a $30 fine, but could lose their permits

They should have planned their trips better. They shouldn’t have started their trip only to pull over during the curfew times. I checked with local troopers to see if either driver was cited or had their permit pulled, and there is no record of that.

The penalty for parking on the shoulder is only $30, but having your permit pulled is serious business.

“Violating permit conditions can range from $207 and up, depending on the violation,” Stevens said.  “Plus, we can actually revoke their permits for violating the conditions, which actually takes a permit away and forces them to park elsewhere and buy a new permit.”

And there is no way these drivers can say they didn’t know about the prohibited hours.

“That’s spelled out in black and white, so it’s not a surprise for them,” Stevens said.  “They know those commuter hours the second they buy that permit. So not knowing when those commuter hours are and not planning accordingly is no excuse for it.”

These rules apply to any load that is required to display “oversize load.” There are curfew zones in Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Vancouver, Kelso, and Spokane. The morning and afternoon hours can vary by location.

Here’s the full list of the roads and times.

Chris Sullivan is a traffic reporter for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here. Follow KIRO Newsradio traffic on X.

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