Re: Tractors on Mackinac Bridge??

Posted by MarkB_MI on December 09, 2021 at 17:07:06 from (174.211.36.131):

In Reply to: Re: Tractors on Mackinac Bridge?? posted by BarnyardEngineering on December 09, 2021 at 12:38:50:

> The whole discussion is so stupid. It's clear that they wouldn't allow you to putter across the bridge on your old dualed-up Deere 4630 pulling a 16' wide disc harrow during rush hour. That would be dumb, even for politcians. The article is clear that the equipment would need to meet width and speed requirements, and what's not directly stated, but is implied, is that it would be limited to low-traffic times on the bridge.

I wouldn't make such assumptions without first reading the two bills.

The relevant paragraphs in HB 4165 says:

(3) The authority shall allow the driver of a farm tractor or implement of husbandry to pay a toll or charge and cross the bridge if the farm tractor or implement of husbandry meets both of the following conditions:

(a) The farm tractor or implement of husbandry complies with all the applicable requirements of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923.

(b) The farm tractor or implement of husbandry is able to accelerate to and maintain the minimum speed required to cross the bridge.

OK, so what does that mean? Paragraph (3)(a) references the Michigan vehicle code. If you check those sections out, you'll find that size and weight restrictions DO NOT APPLY to 'implements of husbandry'. So not only would it be perfectly legal to pull a sixteen foot tandem disk across the Mac, you could pull a 28 foot disk across it if you so desired.

But what about the minimum speed requirement in (3)(b)? Well, it seems they've taken care of that in HB 4872:

(8) Subject to subsection (17), the maximum speed limit on all limited access freeways upon which a speed limit is not otherwise fixed under this act is 70 miles per hour, which shall be known as the limited access freeway general speed limit. The minimum speed limit on all limited access freeways upon which a minimum speed limit is not otherwise fixed under this act is 55 miles per hour. This subsection does not apply to an implement of husbandry operating on a limited access freeway between the ingress and egress points on the limited access freeway closest to the Mackinac Bridge for the purpose of crossing the Mackinac Bridge.

Politicians may or may not be dumb. But they're careful to look after their own interests, as well as those of wealthy constituents.

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