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<section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="24-113.1" title_number="24" title_name="Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Size, Weight, and Load">
  <level label="a">
    <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, and subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the Secretary, by regulation, may determine that a combination of vehicles carrying manifested international freight as the only load of the vehicle in a sealed, seagoing container on a semitrailer is carrying an indivisible load provided that:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>A vehicle issued a permit under this section may not exceed 22,400 pounds gross maximum weight for a single axle, 44,000 pounds gross maximum weight for 2 consecutive axles, or 90,000 pounds gross maximum weight; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A vehicle issued a permit under this section may be operated only on:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Those parts of the interstate and State systems of highways that are designated by the Secretary in conjunction with the United States Department of Transportation;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Any other highway, authorized by the Secretary, that is the shortest practical route between a highway designated pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this paragraph and:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>A truck terminal;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>A port or other point of origin or destination; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>For a distance not to exceed one mile, facilities for food, fuel, repairs, or rest.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Secretary shall adopt regulations, consistent with the provisions of this section, for the issuance of permits for vehicles described under subsection (a) of this section.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The regulations adopted under this subsection may set fees and shall establish maximum axle and gross weight limits, routes, and other necessary criteria.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The authority granted under the provisions of this section may not be exercised unless and until the Secretary determines in writing that its exercise:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Is required to provide access to or egress from the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore for international freight;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Will not cause extraordinary damage to roads and bridges in the State or require extraordinary expense for the maintenance of those roads and bridges;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Will not cause undue adverse environmental impact upon or unduly disrupt residential neighborhoods; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Will not impair highway safety.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
