What is load capacity of road? What is dimensional limit of roads in Vietnam?

What is load capacity of road?

Pursuant to the provisions of Article 4 of Circular 46/2015/TT-BGTVT, load capacity of a road means bearing capacity of such road and bridges along the road that is for ensuring the intended lifespan.

The bearing capacity of a bridge is determined according to its design and the actual condition of the bridge, which is announced by a competent authority or displayed by a vehicle weight limit sign according to regulations on road signs.

The bearing capacity of a road is determined according to its design and actual condition of the road, which is announced by a competent authority or displayed by an axle weight limit sign according to regulations on road signs.

What is load capacity of road? What is dimensional limit of roads in Vietnam? (Internet image)

 What is dimensional limit of roads in Vietnam? 

Pursuant to the provisions of Article 5 of Circular 46/2015/TT-BGTVT, dimensional limits of a road means the limited space in terms of heights and widths of the road, bridge, ferry terminal, or road tunnel that allows vehicles and cargo thereon to safely go through.

- The height limit of highways, level I, level II, and level III roads is 4.75 meters; the height limit of a level IV road or lower is 4.5 meters.

- The width limit of a road is the width limit of its lanes, depending on the technical level of the road and the terrain over which the road route is built.

Regulations on publication of load capacity,d imensional limits of roads, and technical conditions of crossroads in Vietnam

The announcement of the load, the size limit of the road, and the technical condition of the crossroads shall comply with the provisions of Clause 1, Article 10 of Circular 06/2023/TT-BGTVT, specifically as follows:

- The Vietnam Road Administration is responsible for announcing the load capacity and gauge limit of the national highway and updating the load capacity, the size limit of the road, and the technical condition of the crossroads nationwide on the website of the Vietnam Road Administration.

- The Vietnam Expressway Administration is responsible for announcing the load capacity and size limits of the decentralized and authorized expressways and sending data to the Vietnam Road Administration for updating on the website of the Vietnam Road Administration.

- The Vietnam Railways Administration is responsible for announcing the technical status of the crossings on the Vietnam railway network and sending data to the Vietnam Road Administration for updating on the website of the Vietnam Road Administration.

- Provincial People's Committees are responsible for publicizing the load capacity and gauge limits of local roads; and at the same time, sending the data to the Vietnam Road Administration, the Vietnam Expressway Administration for updating on the website.

Regulations on adjustment of publication of load capacity,d imensional limits of roads, and technical conditions of crossroads in Vietnam

The adjustment of the announcement of the load, the size limit of the road, and the technical condition of the crossroads shall comply with the provisions of Clause 2, Article 10 of Circular 06/2023/TT-BGTVT as follows:

- The Vietnam Road Administration is responsible for updating the load capacity, the size limit of the road, and the technical condition of the crossroads nationwide every 6 months (before June 20 and December 20 every year).

- The Vietnam Expressway Administration is responsible for updating the load capacity and gauge limits of the decentralized and authorized expressways and sending data to the Vietnam Road Administration for updating on the website of the Vietnam Road Administration every 6 months (before June 15 and December 15 every year).

- The Vietnam Railways Administration is responsible for updating the technical status of the crossings on the Vietnam railway network and sending data to the Vietnam Road Administration for updating on the website of the Vietnam Road Administration every 6 months (before June 15 and December 15 every year).

- The Department of Transport is responsible for updating the load and gauge limits of local roads and sending data to the Vietnam Road Administration for updating on the website of the Vietnam Road Administration every 6 months (before June 15 and December 15 every year).

- Investors for PPP projects are responsible for updating the load capacity and gauge limits of road sections within their management scope and sending data to the Department of Transport (for local roads), the Vietnam Road Administration (for national highways), and the Vietnam Expressway Administration (for authorized and decentralized expressways) to update on the website of the Road Administration of Vietnam and the Vietnam Expressway Authority every six months (before June 10 and December 10 every year).

- Bridges on roads and road sections that have been announced but have not been renovated or upgraded in sync with the load, the size limit of the road has been announced, the road management agency must put up a sign showing the load limit and the actual size of the bridge.

Mai Thanh Loi

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