(a) The maximum size and weight of vehicles specified in this chapter shall be lawful throughout this state, and local authorities shall have no power or authority to alter these limitations, except as provided in this chapter.
(b) Local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, by ordinance or resolution, may prohibit the operation of vehicles upon any highway or impose restrictions as to the weight of vehicles to be operated upon any highway, for a total period of not to exceed ninety (90) days in any one (1) calendar year, whenever the highway, by reason of deterioration, rain, snow, or other climatic conditions will be seriously damaged or destroyed unless the use of vehicles thereon is prohibited or the permissible weights thereof reduced.
(c) (1) The local authority enacting any such ordinance or resolution shall erect, or cause to be erected and maintained, signs designating the provisions of the ordinance or resolution at each end of that portion of any highway affected thereby.
(2) The ordinance or resolution shall not be effective unless and until signs are erected and maintained.
(d) (1) Local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, by ordinance or resolution, may also prohibit the operation of trucks or other commercial vehicles or may impose limitations as to the weight thereof on designated highways.
(2) The prohibitions and limitations shall be designated by appropriate signs placed on such highways.
(e) (1) The State Highway Commission shall likewise have authority as granted in this section to local authorities to determine by resolution and to impose restrictions as to the weight of vehicles operated upon any highways under the jurisdiction of the commission.
(2) The restrictions shall be effective when signs giving notice thereof are erected upon the highway or portion of any highway affected by such resolution.
History. Acts 1937, No. 300, § 139; Pope's Dig., § 6799; Acts 1959, No. 307, § 53; A.S.A. 1947, § 75-801; Acts 1995, No. 851, § 1.
Cross References. Penalty for violation of 1959 amendatory act, § 27-50-305.
Case Notes
Authority of Highway Engineers.
Municipal Regulation.
Authority of Highway Engineers.
Position occupied by highway engineer carries with it implied authority to place warning signs limiting loads crossing bridges. Arkansas State Hwy. Comm'n v. Mode, 203 Ark. 179, 157 S.W.2d 53 (1941).
Absent evidence that placing of warning signs limiting loads crossing bridge was unauthorized, there is a presumption that the highway engineer had authority from the State Highway Commission. Arkansas State Hwy. Comm'n v. Mode, 203 Ark. 179, 157 S.W.2d 53 (1941).
Statutes relating to size and load do not prevent a city from regulating use of its streets by trucks. House v. City of Texarkana, 225 Ark. 162, 279 S.W.2d 831 (1955).