(a) Limits on Unimproved Highways.
(1) Whenever the Board determines, upon the basis of an engineering investigation, that a highway is unimproved as the word “unimproved” is used in the Vehicle Code, and that the nature of the pavement or surface is such that it will be damaged if vehicles of over a certain gross weight are permitted to operate thereon, the Board shall by resolution direct the Road Commissioner to erect signs specifying the maximum gross weight limits which shall be permitted to operate on such highway.
(2) The Road Commissioner shall erect and maintain signs upon all unimproved highways upon which a weight limit is imposed at the entrances thereto from all improved highways, from all highways upon which no weight limit has been imposed, and from all highways upon which a greater weight limit has been imposed.
(3) Whenever such weight limit signs have been placed as provided in this Section, it shall be a misdemeanor for any person to drive or operate a vehicle upon such unimproved highway when the maximum gross weight of such vehicle, plus the weight of the load thereon, exceeds the weight limit stated by such signs except that any commercial vehicle shall not be prohibited from using any County highway by direct route to or from a State Highway for the purpose of delivering or loading for transportation, goods, wares, or merchandise as provided in the Vehicle Code.
(4) Whenever the Board finds that because of repaving or repair of an unimproved highway, that a weight limit is no longer necessary upon such highway, the Board shall by resolution direct the Road Commissioner to remove the weight limit signs from such highway or entrances thereto.
(b) Temporary Limits on Improved Highways.
(1) Whenever the Board, upon the basis of an engineering investigation, determines that an improved highway as defined in the Vehicle Code, will be destroyed by reason of deterioration if vehicles of over a certain gross weight are permitted to operate thereon, the Board shall by resolution direct the Road Commissioner to erect temporary signs, as provided in § 52.0125(a)(2) for unimproved highways, specifying the maximum gross weight limits upon such highway. No such reduced weight limits shall extend for a period of more than 90 days unless actual repair of such highway is begun within such time and thereafter continuously carried on to completion.
(2) Whenever such temporary weight limit signs have been placed as provided in this Section, it shall be a misdemeanor for any person to drive or operate a vehicle upon such improved highway when the maximum gross weight of such vehicle, plus the weight of the load thereon, exceeds the weight limit stated by such signs, except that any commercial vehicle shall not be prohibited from using any County highway by direct route to or from a State highway for the purpose of delivering or loading for transporting goods, wares, or merchandise as provided in the Vehicle Code.
(c) Closing Highways to Commercial Vehicles.
(1) Pursuant to the Vehicle Code, whenever the Board determines, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, that it is necessary to prohibit the use of any street, road, or highway in an unincorporated residential subdivision area to commercial vehicles exceeding a gross weight of 14,000 pounds, the Board shall by resolution direct the Road Commissioner to erect and maintain signs indicating such prohibition.
(2) Whenever the Board determines, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, that the conditions because of which a load limit was established as provided in § 52.0125(c)(1) no longer exist, the Board shall by resolution direct the Road Commissioner to remove such weight restriction signs.
(Ord. 596, passed - -1947; Am. Ord. 598, passed - -1947; Am. Ord. 702, passed - -1953; Am. Ord. 1119, passed - -1963)