Section 35. No bridge on a public highway having a span in excess of ten feet, except a bridge constructed under the provisions of chapter one hundred and fifty-nine, shall be constructed or reconstructed by any county or town except in accordance with plans and specifications therefor approved by the department. Said department shall approve or alter to meet its approval all such plans submitted to it and shall determine the maximum load which any such bridge may safely carry, and the department or the local authorities having control of such bridge shall, if such bridge was constructed prior to June first, nineteen hundred and sixty, and may, if such bridge was constructed at a later date, maintain notices not less than one hundred feet from each end thereof and legible at a distance of fifty feet stating the maximum weight of vehicle with load which the bridge will safely carry. Any such bridge which is not posted for the said maximum weight by June first, nineteen hundred and seventy-five, shall immediately thereafter be posted by the department or the local authorities having control of such bridge with signs placed as provided herein restricting travel across such bridge to vehicles weighing three tons or less. Each such bridge so restricted shall be reported forthwith to the department, and the department shall maintain a current list of all such bridges. The owner of a vehicle operated on any bridge posted under this or the preceding section shall be responsible for all damage resulting thereto if the weight of the vehicle and load exceeds the maximum load as posted under this or the preceding section, as the case may be, and the amount of the damage may be recovered in an action at law by the person or authorities charged with the maintenance of the bridge. Any person operating a vehicle the weight of which, with its load, exceeds the maximum weight as posted under this section or section thirty-four shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars, unless said vehicle is being operated in accordance with the terms of a special permit issued under the provisions of sections thirty and thirty A.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Title XIV - Public Ways and Works
Chapter 85 - Regulations and By-Laws Relative to Ways and Bridges
Section 1 - Direction Signs; Erection and Maintenance by Cities and Towns
Section 2 - Traffic Signs or Devices; Erection and Maintenance; Rules and Regulations
Section 2a - Removal of Vehicles Interfering With Snow and Ice Removal
Section 2b - Limited Access and Express State Highways; Regulation of Use
Section 2c - Towing of Vehicles From State Highways
Section 2d - Signs on State Highways Indicating Availability of Certain Services
Section 3 - Change of Name of Ways or Parks; Appeal
Section 3a - Approval of Name for Way Other Than Public Way in City or Town
Section 3b - Changing of Name of Way
Section 4 - Construction of Sidewalks by Adjoining Landowners
Section 5 - Removal of Snow and Ice From Sidewalks by Abutting Landowners; Penalties
Section 6 - Assessment of Cost of Removal of Snow and Ice From Sidewalks
Section 7 - Exemption From Assessment by Agreement of Owner to Remove Snow and Ice
Section 7a - Storage and Use of Snow Removal Chemicals; Regulations; Reports; Penalty
Section 7b - Depositing Snow on State Highways
Section 8 - Permits for Signs and Other Structures Projecting Into or Over Ways
Section 9 - Permits; Exemption of Certain Structures
Section 9a - Flashing Lights on Billboards, etc.; Discontinuance Orders; Penalties; Exceptions
Section 10 - Regulation of Use of Ways; Penalties
Section 10a - Coasting on Ways in Cities
Section 11 - Arrest Without Warrant for Driving at Excessive Speed
Section 11b.5 - Mandatory Helmet Use for Persons 16 Years of Age or Younger
Section 11d - Bicycle Helmets; Display of Sign Requiring Use
Section 11e - Traffic Law Violations by Bicyclist
Section 14a - Funeral Processions
Section 14b - Flares; Use by Certain Commercial Vehicles
Section 15 - Lights on Vehicles
Section 16 - Duty of Driver at Night to Give Name to Officer on Request
Section 17 - Penalty for Violation of Sec. 15 or 16
Section 17a - Soliciting From Vehicles on Public Ways
Section 17b - Riding on Rear or Side of Street Railway Car, Motor Bus or Trackless Trolley
Section 18 - Moving of Buildings in Public Way
Section 19 - Leading, Driving, or Conveying Dangerous Wild Animals on Public Ways
Section 20 - Regulation of Speed on County Bridges
Section 21 - Regulation of Speed on Town Bridges
Section 21a - Warning Signs on State Highways for Protection of School Children
Section 22 - Regulation of Speed on Incorporated Bridges
Section 23 - Regulation of Travel on State Ways; Penalties
Section 24 - Posting of Regulations on Bridges
Section 25 - Jurisdiction of District Court Over Bridges
Section 27 - Duties of Draw Tender
Section 28 - Liability of Owners of Vessel for Injury to Bridge
Section 29 - Removal of Vessel Obstructing Draw
Section 31 - Speed of Heavy Vehicles With Metallic Tires
Section 32 - Penalties for Violations of Secs. 30, 30a, and 31
Section 33 - Scope of Secs. 30 to 32
Section 34 - Protection of Bridges From Heavy Loads
Section 36 - Construction and Loading of Vehicles to Prevent Dropping of Load on Way; Penalty
Section 37 - Indemnity Provision in Motor Carrier Transportation Contracts Void and Unenforceable