MoDOT waives fee for moving wide hay loads | News

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (KFVS)- Due to drought conditions, Missouri and surrounding states have granted a special hauling permit to help farmers move hay as needed for livestock.

According to MoDOT, the permit will allow for the movement of wider loads through December 31, 2012.

And, at the Department of Agriculture's request, the MoDOT is waiving the fee for blanket oversize permits to haul wide loads of hay.

The fee is waived through Dec. 31 on loads up to 12 feet, four inches wide, that are of legal height, length and weight.

MoDOT says the savings for farmers is up to $64.

The waiver will allow hay movements to take place over holidays and at night.

At night, or when visibility is less than 500 feet, drivers must use a reflective, oversized load sign and clearance lights instead of flags at the edges of their loads.

Farmers are being asked to call MoDOT's Motor Carrier Services office at 1-800-877-8499 to report the year, make and license plate number of their power unit and provide their business name and address. Motor Carrier Services will then issue the permits by fax or email.

More resources and information about drought conditions, as well as a directory for producers needing to buy and sell hay are available online at mo.gov.

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