AR SB567

Operators and owners of vehicles, objects, or contrivances operating on public bridges remain liable for all damage caused by careless, negligent, illegal operation, or operation exceeding posted weight limits, even with an overweight permit from the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

Persons or owners operating vehicles exceeding posted weight limits on public bridges are civilly liable for recoverable damages under Arkansas Code § 27-66-504(b).

The liability provision for overweight vehicles does not apply to wooden bridges less than 20 feet in length.

When a public bridge is destroyed or damaged to the extent it cannot be used safely, the person convicted of a violation shall be civilly liable to the county or road improvement district for replacement costs without factoring in depreciation and removal costs for damaged structure or debris.