(a) The limitations of access specified in subdivision (d) of Section 35401.5 do not apply to licensed carriers of livestock when those carriers are directly en route to or from a point of loading or unloading of livestock on those portions of State Highway Route 101 located in the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino from its junction with State Highway Route 1 near Leggett north to the Oregon border, if the travel is necessary and incidental to the shipment of the livestock.

(b) The exemption allowed under this section does not apply unless all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The length of the truck tractor, in combination with the semitrailer used to transport the livestock, does not exceed a total of 70 feet.

(2) The distance from the kingpin to the rearmost axle of the semitrailer does not exceed 43 feet.

(3) The length of the semitrailer does not exceed a total of 48 feet.

(c) The exemption allowed under this section does not apply to travel conducted on the day prior to, or on the day of, any federally recognized holiday.

(d) (1) Because route improvements in Richardson Grove that will allow the combination of vehicles described in Section 35401.5 to fully operate on all portions of State Highway Route 101 located in the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino are ongoing and not yet completed, this section shall remain in effect only until both of the following conditions are satisfied:

(A) All route improvements in Richardson Grove are completed without restraint, including, but not limited to, judicial or injunctive restraints.

(B) The Director of Transportation determines that the combination of vehicles described in Section 35401.5 is authorized to operate on all portions of State Highway Route 101 located in the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino. When the director makes the determination described in this subparagraph, the director shall post a declaration on the Internet Web site of the Department of Transportation.

(2) This section is repealed as of the date that the declaration described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) is posted on the Department of Transportation’s Internet Web site.

(3) The declaration described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) shall state that it is being made pursuant to this section.

(e) (1) If, prior to the completion of the route improvements in Richardson Grove as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d), the Director of Transportation determines that the only adjustment to State Highway Route 101 possible to accommodate the truck sizes allowed to travel on portions of State Highway Route 101, pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b), is the removal of any tree that has a diameter of 42 inches or greater, measured outside the bark, at 12 inches above ground on the side adjacent to the highest ground level, the director shall notify the Secretary of State of that determination.

(2) If, prior to the completion of the route improvements in Richardson Grove as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d), the Director of Transportation determines that safety improvements to the portion of State Highway Route 101 described in subdivision (a) have resulted in the reclassification of the entire segment as a terminal access route pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 35401.5, the director shall notify the Secretary of State of that determination.

(3) The notice required under paragraph (1) or (2) shall state that it is being made pursuant to this section.

(4) This section is repealed on the date the Secretary of State receives either of the notices described in this subdivision.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 542. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016. Repealed on earlier of dates prescribed in subd. (d) and subd. (e).)