According to a news release issued yesterday, Caltrans will temporarily issue special permits for overweight trucks transporting emergency supplies in support of COVID-19 relief and prevention efforts.

Caltrans will issue permits for overweight trucks on the State Highway System and will help support transportation operators in obtaining permits from local agencies for local roads. These permits increase the maximum allowable gross vehicle weight from 80,000 to 88,000 pounds and will be valid until further notice.

Essential Goods are defined as the following:

• Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19
• Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectant
• Food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores
• Immediate precursor raw materials such as paper, plastic or alcohol that are required and to be used for the manufacture of items above
• Fuel
• Equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID-19

Click here to view the full Caltrans news release.