SACRAMENTO – Caltrans will temporarily issue special permits for overweight trucks transporting emergency supplies in support of COVID-19 relief and prevention efforts following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent state of emergency declaration and subsequent activation of the federal Stafford Disaster Relief and Assistance Act.

“Authorizing these special exceptions clears a path for greater volumes of material vital in the fight against COVID-19,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “Emergency medical supplies and equipment, groceries, perishable items, water and countless other essential items will now reach their destinations more rapidly than they did before, at a time when people need them most.”

Caltrans will issue permits for overweight trucks on the State Highway System and will help support transportation operators in obtaining permits from local agencies for local roads.

These permits increase the maximum allowable gross vehicle weight from 80,000 to 88,000 pounds and will be valid until further notice.

To expedite the permits, Caltrans is performing advance review and analysis on major corridor routes, including I-5, US-101, I-15, SR 60, I-405, SR 99, I-10, SR 91, I-80 and I-710.

This emergency declaration provides regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations moving essential goods in support of relief and preventive measures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Essential goods” are defined as the following:

– Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19;
– Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectant;
– Food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores;
– Immediate precursor raw materials such as paper, plastic or alcohol that are required and to be used for the manufacture of items above;
– Fuel;
– Equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID-19.

In response to COVID-19, Caltrans continues its critical functions during this crisis, including highway maintenance and roadway access to medical facilities and facilitating transport of essential goods and services throughout the state.