KDOT briefs committee on oversized/overweight permitting; K‑Trips and enforcement discussed

The Committee on Transportation received an informational briefing from the Kansas Department of Transportation on oversized and overweight permits and routing, led by Dominique Shannon, assistant bureau chief for structures and geotechnical services at KDOT. Shannon described permit categories, the K‑Trips routing system and how district staff review larger or more complex moves.

Shannon summarized four primary permit types: annual permits (valid one year, used multiple times; typical maximum length shown as 126 feet), standard permits (single‑trip, up to seven days, printed route), large‑structure permits (for wide or tall loads exceeding standard permit dimensions) and superloads (the largest class, often requiring bridge analysis; examples cited include loads above 150,000 pounds or with high concentrated weights). Shannon said superload routing can require bridge analysis and travel restrictions such as maximum crossing speeds; she described an example that required a bridge crossing limit of 5 mph and referenced a pictured 700,000‑pound move that required bridge load rating.

Shannon described K‑Trips, an online permitting and routing system that provides bid routes, automated route generation (subject to route restrictions), turn‑by‑turn driving directions and permit PDFs once purchased. She said KDOT maintains vertical clearance and other restriction databases used by K‑Trips and that central permitting staff handle the bulk of annual and standard permits (together accounting for roughly 60–65,000 permits per year), while district staff and dedicated superload routers handle large structure and superload reviews.

KDOT emphasized that escort companies and operators must register and that operator certification is required as of Jan. 1, 2020; Shannon said the certification involved course work and a proficiency test. Captain Steven Lareau of the Kansas Highway Patrol (commercial motor vehicle enforcement) described law enforcement's role: KHP generally does not move oversize loads itself, but it responds when loads are off‑route or present public‑safety concerns. He said troopers and local partners must find safe locations if a load must be taken off route and that permits apply to state roads; carriers should coordinate with counties if travel will extend onto county roads.

Committee members raised safety and enforcement questions. Representative Gary White described situations in his district (southwest Kansas) where very wide loads on two‑lane roads created safety and delay concerns, including a reported incident where a load closed a road and schools were affected. Shannon said KDOT can work with local jurisdictions to place long‑term width or turning restrictions where safety concerns arise and that construction and bridge weight postings are entered into K‑Trips so routes avoid restricted structures. Captain Lareau said fines for being off an assigned permit route can include a $150 penalty and that off‑route situations often require obtaining a new permit and may require temporary staging to await a legal route.

Lawmakers also discussed permit fees and revenue. Shannon confirmed that an annual permit option exists for permitted sizes and that superload permits are charged per trip (Shannon said a superload permit fee is $200 per trip; an annual permit for limited sizes is $200 per year). Committee members asked whether fees cover infrastructure damage and whether permit and enforcement structures are sufficient to protect county and local roads; KDOT staff said fee and infrastructure cost relationships would be a policy discussion for the legislature.

Shannon and KHP described coordination steps KDOT uses to update K‑Trips data: vertical clearances and major route changes are verified about annually, with more rapid updates when construction or route changes occur; districts also enter construction restrictions into the system. Shannon noted ongoing efforts to improve interstate routing compatibility, audible turn‑by‑turn guidance for escorts, and multistate preliminary routing tools. The briefing closed with committee members thanking presenters and noting possible final action on previously heard bills at the next meeting.