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Select Board discusses Route 3 Green Bridge weight limit and emergency-vehicle exemption
Summary
The Plymouth Select Board discussed a recent New Hampshire Department of Transportation reduction of the Route 3 Green Bridge weight limit from 20 to 10 tons, how the change affects emergency response, and which vehicles are exempt under state RSA definitions.
The Plymouth Select Board discussed safety and operational questions after the New Hampshire Department of Transportation reduced the weight limit on the Route 3 Green Bridge from 20 tons to 10 tons, officials said at a recent meeting at Plymouth Town Hall.
Board Chair Zach (Select Board chair) and other members reviewed how the restriction affects local emergency response and sought clarification of state law that exempts emergency vehicles from posted weight limits. Town staff reported that ambulances have continued to cross the bridge and that the Portsmouth-based DOT has provided the posted reduction based on identified structural deficiencies. Select Board members said the town manager, Scott Wheaton, is communicating with the DOT to confirm whether specific Plymouth fire apparatus meet the DOT specifications for safe crossings in emergencies.
The discussion centered on two operational questions: which apparatus are covered by the state exemption, and whether some emergency vehicles could still be routed across the bridge without creating an unsafe condition. A board member noted differing axle-count rules and prior temporary reductions to lower tonnage limits and said the town needs clearer guidance on how gross vehicle weight and axle configuration are being counted by the DOT.
Town staff said ambulances have not been restricted and that the RSA that defines emergency-vehicle exemptions lists ‘fire departments, police departments, the state department of corrections, and such ambulances and emergency vehicles of municipal departments or public service corporations as authorized by the director.’ Board members asked staff to confirm that text with DOT and to share the correct RSA citations with the board.
Board members also discussed operational responses: whether the fire department will reroute some calls to avoid the bridge, and whether surrounding communities and the local school had been notified. Staff said they believed surrounding towns had been notified and that town staff would follow up to confirm signage and any notifications to the school and local bus routes. The board discussed the need for signage placed in advance of the bridge so large trucks can turn before reaching the restriction.
The Select Board did not take formal action to change response protocols at the meeting; members said they expect staff to return with clarifications from DOT and the exact RSA citation and to propose any needed changes to emergency routing or notifications.
The board also discussed community concerns about heavy law-enforcement vehicles brought in by state agencies. No local purchase or acquisition of heavy tactical vehicles was proposed or approved.
The Route 3 Green Bridge items were raised during the town manager report and revisited later in the meeting when a board member read the RSA language aloud and asked staff to circulate the correct statutory text to members for review.
