DOTD Sec. Dr. Shawn Wilson issues Secretary Waiver Order ahead of Hurricane Harvey
Friday, August 25, 2017 at 6:49:26 PM

SECRETARY WAIVER ORDER

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Hurricane Harvey

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WHEREAS, pursuant to the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721, et seq., the Governor declared a state of emergency in Proclamation No. 104 JBE 2017; and

WHEREAS, the safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the affected areas of Louisiana and surrounding states require that the movements of operators of commercial motor carriers traveling on the public highways of the state of Louisiana for the purpose of emergency preparedness and disaster relief efforts be expedited; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute 32:387, the Governor has delegated the authority to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development to waive the requirements relative to the rules of permits for the purpose of disaster, emergency or emergency preparedness; and

WHEREAS, to deal with emergencies or disasters and to ensure that preparations of this state will be adequate to deal with such emergencies or disasters, and to preserve the lives and property of the citizens of the state of Louisiana, including the authority to suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business, or the orders, rules, or regulations of any state agency, if strict compliance with the provisions of any statute, order, rule, or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the emergency; and

WHEREAS, Hurricane Harvey is expected to cause severe flooding and wind damage in southwest, south central and possibly other areas of Louisiana, and risk also exists for storm surge in certain areas.

NOW THEREFORE, I, SHAWN DAVID WILSON, Secretary of Department of Transportation and Development, State of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

Secretary Waiver Order
August 25, 2017

SECTION 1: Emergency equipment and all disaster preparedness and relief commodities transported in Louisiana shall not be subject to applicable permit requirements for size and weight and are authorized to move at night. All loads over width, or length traveling at night shall have an escort equipped with a dome, bar, or strobe light that is amber in color with 360-degree visibility.

SECTION 2: Nothing in this Order shall be construed to allow any vehicle transporting emergency equipment or commodities for disaster preparedness and relief to exceed weight limits posted for bridges and like structures, or relieve any vehicle or carrier, owner or driver of any vehicle from compliance with any restrictions other than those specified, or from any statute, rule, order, or other legal requirement not specifically waived herein.

SECTION 3: Nothing in this Order shall be construed or interpreted as being applicable to travel on non-state maintained highways, or as being applicable to construction and building projects that are not in support of rescue, recovery and repair efforts associated with the emergency which prompted Proclamation No. 104 JBE 2017.

SECTION 4: This Order was effective as of August 25, 2017, and shall remain in effect until September 22, 2017, unless amended or modified.

Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D.
Department of Transportation and Development