Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 700 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Title 700 CMR 7.00 - Use of the Massachusetts Turnpike and the Metropolitan Highway System › Section 7.06 - Limitations on Use of Ways

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(1)
One-way Restriction
. Lanes on a way are used for
			 one-way traffic, unless a sign specifically indicates that two-way traffic is
			 permitted. An operator of a motor vehicle may not travel on a way contrary to
			 the direction indicated or intended for travel unless a Massachusetts State
			 Police officer or a sign directs the operator to do so.
(2)
Use of the Callahan Tunnel
			 and the Sumner Tunnel
. An operator of a motor vehicle traveling
			 from Boston to East Boston shall use the Callahan Tunnel or the Ted Williams
			 Tunnel and an operator of a motor vehicle traveling from East Boston to Boston
			 shall use the Sumner Tunnel or the Ted Williams Tunnel, unless an authorized
			 MassDOT employee, a Massachusetts State Police officer, or a sign directs the
			 operator otherwise.
(3)
Entry to and Exit from a Way
. An operator may not
			 cause a vehicle to enter or leave a way except through an interchange or other
			 authorized point of entry or exit or at the direction of a Massachusetts State
			 Police officer.
(4)
Prohibited Entry to or Use of a Way
. The Department
			 prohibits the following vehicles from entering or using a way:
(a)
Improperly
			 Seated
. A vehicle carrying an individual who is not properly
			 seated within the confines of the vehicle.
(b)
Flat or Inadequate
			 Tire
. A vehicle with a flat, bald, unduly or unevenly worn, solid,
			 or metal tire mounted on a wheel in contact with the roadway surface or with a
			 tire mounted on a wheel in contact with the roadway surface that poses a risk
			 to individuals or property or may render the use of the way unsafe by
			 disintegrating or partially disintegrating during travel and distributing tire
			 debris upon the way.
(c)
Obstructed Window
. A motor vehicle having a window or
			 windshield obstructed in a manner prohibited by M.G.L. c. 90, §
			 9D.
(d)
Propelled by
			 Muscle Power
. A vehicle propelled by muscle power including,
			 without limitation, a bicycle or a vehicle drawn by a horse or other animal, or
			 a motorized bicycle or moped.
(e)
Construction and Similar Equipment
. A vehicle in
			 contact with a way that has caterpillar treads or that is a type of
			 construction, agricultural, or similar equipment not designed for or employed
			 in general highway travel, whether designed to be self-propelled or
			 towed.
(f)
Falling
			 Debris
. A vehicle upon or in which snow, ice, or other unsecured
			 or improperly secured article or material (debris) has gathered or been placed
			 such that the debris may fall from the vehicle and endanger individuals or
			 property or render the use of the way unsafe.
(g)
Inadequate
			 Brakes
. A vehicle with inadequate brakes.
(h)
Over-weight
			 Vehicle
. An over-weight vehicle, except under, and in accordance
			 with the terms of, a special permit that the Department issues pursuant to
			 700 CMR
			 7.07(3)(b) or (c).
(i)
Over-size
			 Vehicle
. An over-size vehicle, except under, and in accordance
			 with the terms of, a special permit that the Department issues pursuant to
			 700 CMR
			 7.07(4)(b) or (c).
(j)
Propelled by a Special Fuel
			 in the Tunnels
. A vehicle propelled by a special fuel while
			 traveling in the Tunnels, except:
(i) a
			 vehicle propelled by compressed natural gas, propane, or a Private Passenger
			 Motor Vehicle propelled by gaseous hydrogen in the Ted Williams Tunnel or the
			 Central Artery North Area Tunnel, provided the tunnel exhaust fans are in
			 operation, and so long as the vehicle has a maximum fuel capacity consistent
			 with safe practice and national standards, including Federal Motor Vehicle
			 Safety Standards #303 and #304, and is equipped with excess flow valves for
			 fuel lines with an inner diameter larger than ½", and is identified by a
			 blue-and-white diamond decal attached as specified in NFPA 52, and is not used
			 to transport compressed natural gas, or propane;
(ii) a Private Passenger Motor Vehicle
			 propelled by gaseous hydrogen, may travel in the Ted Williams Tunnel and the
			 Central Artery North Area Tunnel so long as the Private Passenger Motor meets
			 all applicable requirements in
			 540 CMR
			 2.05:
Vehicle Registrations
			 Requirements
and complies with all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
			 Standards, and is not used to transport gaseous hydrogen.
(k)
Carrying an
			 Explosive
. A vehicle carrying an explosive, except pursuant to a
			 special permit for explosives that the Department issues in accordance with
			 700 CMR
			 7.07(5).
(l)
Carrying a Special
			 Fuel
. A vehicle, however propelled and whether or not carrying a
			 special fuel, used to carry a special fuel, except under a special fuel
			 transportation permit that the Department issues pursuant to 700 CMR
			 7.06(6).
(m)
Carrying a
			 Hazardous Material
. A vehicle carrying a hazardous material,
			 except as
			 700 CMR 7.11
			 permits; provided that a vehicle may carry individual packages containing
			 nonhazardous materials and carbon dioxide in solid or dry ice form for
			 refrigeration purposes.
(n)
Vehicles Posing Special Risks in Tunnels
. A tandem
			 unit, except as
			 700 CMR
			 7.07(3)(c)4. permits; a
			 passenger vehicle or commercial vehicle carrying cargo which may pose a risk to
			 public safety; a passenger vehicle or commercial vehicle used for carrying any
			 amount of hazardous materials; a passenger vehicle or commercial vehicle
			 carrying hazardous materials in the form of consumer goods (consumer goods are
			 those goods used or bought primarily for use by individuals for personal,
			 family or household purposes); an empty tank vehicle or a vehicle transporting
			 empty containers which were last used for the transportation of hazardous
			 materials. Hazardous materials is defined and listed in 49 CFR Chapter 1,
			 Subchapter C.
(o)
Other
			 Prohibited Vehicles
. A vehicle emitting an offensive or obnoxious
			 odor; a vehicle emitting an excessive amount of smoke; or a vehicle towed by
			 chain, rope, or other non-rigid device.