After nearly 100 crashes in a two-year period, procedures to permanently ban trucks on Kentucky Route 151 (Graefenburg Road) are underway. The notice was officially published in the Federal Register on June 15 and a temporary emergency ban is currently in effect.
Filed under Docket No. FHWA-2016-0012, the Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation are seeking comments on the emergency deletion of the highway (from U.S. 127 north of Lawrenceburg, Ky., to Interstate 64, Exit 48) from the National Network Route.
The route is located east of Louisville and crosses through two counties, Franklin and Anderson.
According to an order signed by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Greg Thomas, the ban affects trucks exceeding 13.5 feet in height and 96 inches wide. Length cannot exceed the following measurements:
Semitrailers – 65 feet, including body and load when operated in a tractor-semitrailer combination;
Trailers – 48 feet, including body and load when operated in a tractor-semitrailer combination, not to exceed one per truck and not operated in a tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination;
Single-unit trucks – 45 feet, including body and load.
The order comes on an emergency basis for safety considerations after several crashes involving commercial vehicles occurred on the highway. According to KYTC spokesperson Ryan Watts, there were 99 crashes on the highway from 2013 to 2015, 11 involving commercial vehicles. The data did not determine fault.
Trailers – 48 feet, including body and load when operated in a tractor-semitrailer combination, not to exceed one per truck and not operated in a tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination;
Single-unit trucks – 45 feet, including body and load.
The order comes on an emergency basis for safety considerations after several crashes involving commercial vehicles occurred on the highway. According to KYTC spokesperson Ryan Watts, there were 99 crashes on the highway from 2013 to 2015, 11 involving commercial vehicles. The data did not determine fault.
FHWA authorized the emergency ban while the state compiles data. The state needs to go through the standard procedures of a formal notice on the Federal Register, including public comment, before following through with any recommendations to make the ban permanent.
Trucks are required to take Exit 53A off Interstate 64 to U.S. 127 south. Access to local industry along KY 151 will not be affected due to a mile allowance from U.S. 127 and I-64, according to a press release.
Comments must be received on or before July 15. Comments can be submitted by:
Website: Go to Regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments; the docket number is FHWA-2016-0012;
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001; or
Hand delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
When commenting, include the agency name and docket number at the beginning.
By Tyson Fisher, Land Line staff writer
http://www.landlinemag.com
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001; or
Hand delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
When commenting, include the agency name and docket number at the beginning.
By Tyson Fisher, Land Line staff writer
http://www.landlinemag.com
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