Fast, reliable & cost effective Equipment Transport

We move heavy and oversized freight with care. Oversized and overweight shipments account for about 6% of U.S. freight tonnage. That equals roughly 600 million tons a year and demands strict planning.

Our team ties transport planning directly to bridge checks. Posted weight limits, clearance reviews, and fatigue assessments can trigger detours or restricted travel windows. We treat these findings as critical for public safety and for the integrity of infrastructure.

We reduce unexpected holds by verifying dimensions and weight in advance. We align routes with active inspection schedules and set alternate paths. Our logistics team syncs permits and field crews to avoid last-minute changes.

Always, we confirm current status, postings, and clearance profiles before a shipment crosses any structure. For a practical walkthrough of hauling oversized loads and the rules we follow, see our step-by-step guide. The result: fewer stops, fewer reroutes, and stronger outcomes for safety and schedule.

Setting the stage: oversized loads, U.S. regulations, and the reality of bridge-related delays

Large shipments face strict rules that shape every route we plan. Shipments that exceed 8.5 feet wide, 13.5–14 feet high, or 80,000 pounds gross require permits and often escorts. Each state sets its own travel windows, escort thresholds, and posted weight limits.

We centralize permit management to cut mistakes. Our team pairs DOT resources with GIS mapping and 511 systems to catch live incidents and closures. That reduces surprises on roads and at critical structures.

Traffic restrictions and peak-hour bans can intersect with inspection closures. We build buffers into schedules and submit permits early. We confirm escort availability and communication protocols before any move begins.

Safety is non-negotiable. We match each shipment and its paperwork to the permitted route to avoid enforcement holds at approaches. For a state-by-state primer on permit rules, see our state regulations.

Inside bridge inspections: what gets checked and why it slows oversized loads

Each bridge assessment focuses on capacity, wear, and clearance before we route a transport. Inspectors verify structural capacity and fatigue to confirm posted weight limits and safe operation for heavy cargo.

Structural checks and axle reviews

We confirm component condition and run engineering reviews of axle groupings. That ensures the total weight and size weight allocation will not overstress the span.

Clearances and approach geometry

Teams measure vertical and horizontal clearances, sign bracing, and overhead utilities. We also assess approach curvature and grade to keep the vehicle stable during crossing.

Outcomes that affect routing

Findings can trigger temporary closures, detours, or time-based restrictions. We monitor DOT GIS maps and 511 feeds to match our route to live work zones.

“No crossing begins without verified clearances and engineering approval.”

Why Bridge Inspections Delay Oversize Load Deliveries

Current structural postings drive permit approvals and shape our every route. Permit teams need exact posted limits, clearances, and engineering notes before they sign off. When data changes, paperwork must follow.

Permit dependencies and engineering reviews

Permit approval rests on verified span info. If an inspection lowers an allowable weight or updates clearances, we update axle plans and resubmit paperwork to the state or local agency. That can add hours or weeks depending on jurisdiction.

Route surveys that catch last-minute conflicts

We run turn-by-turn surveys to find utility work, temporary signage, or narrow lanes that pose a risk to oversized cargo. These surveys often reveal axle-load conflicts that require a different trailer setup or a new path.

Re-permitting and rescheduling after field findings

A single inspection finding can ripple through multiple permits. We prepare alternates and stage updated permit packets so radio channels, escorts, and travel times reflect the new route.

• We align axle configurations to new weight postings.
• We budget permitting lead time—same-day in some areas, weeks in others.
• We notify drivers, pilot teams, and local authorities immediately after changes.

“We will not move a load across a structure flagged as unsafe for our configuration.”

For guidance on multi-state permitting and timing, see our prepping for multi-state permits.

Navigating permits, routes, and bridge limits without losing time

Permits, precise axle plans, and vetted corridors are the backbone of every haul. We front-load state permits and confirm posted height, width, and weight triggers—typically >8.5 feet wide, 13.5–14 feet high, or over 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

We engineer axle configurations to satisfy size/weight requirements and the bridge formula. That keeps weight under posted limits and reduces rework.

Turn-by-turn route engineering and surveys

Our route planning uses mapping tools to check clearances, turn radii, and surface limits. We perform pre-trip surveys to validate tight turns, overhead obstructions, and soft shoulders near key spans.

Coordination, equipment, and field validation

We choose the right equipment—trailers and trucks—based on verified cargo dimensions, not estimates. Early pilot cars coordination secures radio channels, printed route sheets, and contingency detours.

• We confirm travel windows in permits to match inspection or night work windows.
• We verify site access and staging where approaches need special turning geometry.
• We consolidate transport documents into one packet for quick checks at enforcement points.

“Clear planning and the correct equipment keep freight moving when field findings change.”

Multi-state and local layers: how differing rules compound bridge-related delays

Crossing state lines often surfaces different rules that affect timing and route choice. We plan for each jurisdiction so a single change does not stall a move.

State-level rules vary on permit lead times, weekend movement, and escort thresholds. One state may allow Sunday travel while its neighbor bans it. We map these times and thresholds in advance.

State travel windows and escort thresholds

We track travel windows and escort requirements for each state on the route. This keeps convoys from being stopped at a border for missing paperwork or an escort.

City and county detours, police escorts, and school-zone timing

Local agencies can demand police escorts, specific detours, or school-zone curfews. We coordinate with municipalities to pre-approve those moves and avoid unexpected restrictions.

• We pre-verify weight limits and postings per segment and align axle groups for compliant crossings.
• We hold cross-jurisdiction permits and permit addenda ready for alternate spans.
• We synchronize times across zones to prevent staging at closed structures.

“We brief teams on the single most restrictive rule along the route to ensure consistent compliance.”

Timing factors that collide with inspections: weather, traffic, and construction

Unplanned weather and active work zones can change a transport’s route in minutes. We monitor forecasts and live feeds so teams can react before a safe crossing window closes.

High winds, snow/ice, and seasonal weight restrictions

High winds, heavy rain, snow, or ice raise risk on decks and approaches. Tall loads and long trailers feel crosswinds first. When conditions spike, we suspend moves to protect crew and cargo.

Spring thaw brings seasonal weight limits on many roads. Those limits force axle adjustments or alternate spans. We plan for that time-based constraint in every route sheet.

Peak-hour bans, incident work zones, and temporary closures

Peak-hour bans and incident work zones create short closures that stack with inspections. We use DOT, NOAA, and 511 feeds to reroute in real time.

• We track weather hazards that can close or restrict crossings.
• We set time buffers so convoys can wait or shift to a pre-permitted alternate.
• We brief drivers on speed, spacing, and braking for wet or icy decks.
• We coordinate with permitting authorities when timing changes are needed.

“Safety and structural protection come first; we hold until conditions are safe and legal to proceed.”

People, tech, and equipment that keep routes viable when inspections disrupt plans

Modern tracking and real-time data keep our convoys ahead of unexpected route conflicts.

Telematics, DOT GIS, and 511 feeds give us live closure and work-zone alerts. We use these layers to re-route before a convoy reaches a restricted span. That reduces stops and keeps crews productive.

Clear communication and crew protocols

We standardize radio and phone procedures across drivers, pilot cars, and dispatch. Short call signs and defined handoffs cut confusion. Our team trains on those protocols weekly.

Certified crews and purpose-built equipment

Experienced, certified drivers handle narrow decks and steep grades. Escort cars and pilot cars coordinate passing and lane control. We stage trailers and specialized equipment to match height, weight, and footprint needs.

Cargo securement and pre-trip inspections lower mechanical risk on approaches. Permit documents sync to mobile devices so enforcement can confirm compliance at a moment’s notice.

• We use telematics, GIS bridge layers, and 511 data for live reroutes.
• We standardize communication so decisions are clear and immediate.
• We deploy certified drivers and coordinated escort cars for safety.
• We stage trailers and specialized equipment to fit each vehicle and load.
• We keep permits and contingency playbooks ready to avoid long holds.

“Safety and situational awareness keep our moves predictable and legal.”

For more on route planning for weight and height restrictions, see our route planning for weight and height.

Operational playbook: preventing bridge-inspection delays from derailing your shipment

Our team prepares each move with confirmed specs, staged alternatives, and clear go/no-go rules. We start by locking down exact dimensions, total verified weight, center of gravity, and packaging details. That is our baseline for permits and equipment selection.

Verify “load intelligence”

Load intelligence means measuring length, width, height, total weight, COG, and lifting points. We record rigging and packaging in the manifest. This prevents surprises on approach and keeps permits valid.

Front-load permits and documented alternates

Permit packets list precise routes, approved travel hours, escort plans, and contact details. We pre-survey detours and note seasonal or state limits so alternates can be activated without re-permitting delays.

Schedule buffers, staging, and post-trip reporting

We set time buffers and staging sites near critical spans to avoid blocking approaches. After each move, we run post-trip inspections and compile reports. These reports document compliance, spot equipment wear, and tighten the next shipment.

• We select the right equipment based on verified specs before permitting.
• We coordinate axle spacing to match crossing requirements.
• We maintain live coordination so every vehicle and escort gets updates in real time.
• We keep freight and permit documents synced across state agencies for rapid re-permitting if needed.

“Safety is the non-negotiable metric that governs each go/no-go decision.”

Keeping heavy haul on schedule when bridge inspections happen

Timely moves require verified dimensions, ready alternates, and constant situational awareness.

We tie transport execution to live span status using GIS and 511 feeds. That real‑time data lets our logistics team reroute before a convoy stops on the road.

Certified drivers, pilot support, and correctly configured trailers and trucks make the vehicle compliant with posted limits. Continuous communication and tight coordination among dispatch, escorts, and authorities keep shipments moving.

We stage permit packets and alternates so a quick swap avoids long delays. Post‑trip reporting sharpens future plans. Safety remains our priority. We protect schedules by protecting the public and infrastructure every time a heavy load reaches a checked span.