President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed a decree № 613 "On the passage of heavy and (or) large-sized vehicles on public roads" on November 26, thus making changes to the order of heavy and oversized vehicles passage on public highways of the country. The decree shall enter into force three months after official publication.
As it became known to Telegraf, the purpose of the document is to bring the regulations over the development of road infrastructure and procedures for the use of roads in Belarus in line with modern requirements.
Taking into account international practices, the decree provides consolidation of a number of statutory terms and concepts, characterizing the type of vehicle, its load capacity, dimensions and other parameters. It establishes the maximum permissible overall weight and dimensions parameters of vehicles for the roads of the country, depending on weather conditions. As reported by the presidential administration, the permissible total weight of motor vehicles, depending on the bearing capacity of pavement highways, may vary within 12-47 tons. However, the load on the axle vehicle or hitch is divided into three categories: 6, 7 and 11.5 tons.
The document also regulates compensation for damage to roads of Belarus by the heavy and large vehicles, traveling on them, as well as the payment rates for their travel, set depending on the excess of the permissible axle weight of the vehicle from 0.1 (2-5% excess) to 1.3€ (30-40%) per one kilometer of distance traveled.
According to a document, a presidential decree № 462 «On the permissible weight and dimensions of motor vehicles passing on the public roads of the Republic of Belarus, and the fare rates for heavy and large motor vehicles» of July 17, 2006 is recognized as invalid.
Also, the president instructed the Ministry of Transport and Voblast Executive Committee to ensure the approval by the road network owners of inventories available on the balance of highways with load capacity from 6 to 11.5 tons per axle, as well as to make this information available in the internet.
The decree is expected to improve safety and ensure the restoration of national roads.
