Paterson directs DOT to get large trucks off local roads

By: The Citizen staff report

Monday, May 12, 2008 12:50 PM EDT

Gov. David Paterson came to Skaneateles on Monday to announce that he's directing the state Department of Transportation to establish regulations that will keep large, long-haul trucks on interstate highways for as much of their trip as possible and off local roads in upstate cities, villages and towns.
The new regulations will first be applied to the Finger Lakes region, where local communities have long complained about the impact of large garbage-hauling trucks using local roads to avoid the state Thruway tolls.

"For far too long, people living throughout the Finger Lakes in Onondaga, Cayuga and Tompkins counties have been suffering, trying to get big rigs off the back roads winding through the region," Paterson said in a press release "Residents have rightfully voiced concerns about trucks spilling garbage into lakes and watersheds. People also have expressed concern that the large trucks are damaging roads and houses, emitting fumes, creating noise and making it dangerous to walk or ride bikes on the roadways. I am pleased to announce that I have directed the New York State Department of Transportation to develop a new regulatory policy aimed at keeping large trucks off the Main Streets of Central New York and on the Interstate System, where they should be."

Paterson was joined Monday by U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, who has long advocated for a solution to the truck issue, as well as numerous local and state officials.

New Jersey recently developed similar regulations for large trucks, and Paterson intends to use that state's model in developing the New York policy.

For more on this story, read Tuesday's edition of The Citizen. 

The Citizens' Say

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There are 14 comment(s)

Charliek wrote on May 18, 2008 4:18 AM:

" The Thruway wasn't built until the 50's and 60's. Before that the trucks used many of the state roads like 5 & 20 so those roads are built to handle some of the traffic. Truckers get paid by the mile so they would prefer to use the Thruway. The problem is that, once again NY has created a system that is cost prohibitive. We are one of the few states in the nation to have a toll road. Remove or reduce the tolls and see the traffic on side roads drop. "

nature lover wrote on May 13, 2008 12:04 PM:

" Rt 38A is what eventually comes into Auburn past my house which is residential. The trash trucks are heaviest on Thursdays. So hoping their days are numbered. I dont understand how they think taking the exit off at Homer and the next one up near Skaneateles will save them money or time. 81 connects right to thruway and Seneca Meadows s/b exit 41. "

MISSEY1941 wrote on May 13, 2008 11:34 AM:

" FG
The trucks get off 81 at Homer and travel up thorough New Hope on the west side of Skaneateles Lake then they cross over to 38a just before Dutch Hollow CC and then go into Auburn.The stretch of road that is most dangerous is from the Grocery Store in Qwasco to the city line. "

Farmer's Gal wrote on May 13, 2008 11:12 AM:

" If you live along there, Missy, maybe you can tell us more about specifics about the truck traffic. Does it come right through the town of Moravia and on up 38A, or does it join on at some point further along?

The previous owner has 2 indoor/outdoor cats who are always around and happy to see visitors. They also have 2 dogs I haven't met. The owners have lived there nearly 20 years.

In driving by, I have yet to see so much as a dead squirrel in the road right along that stretch.

I picked a place set back a bit from the road (wish it were even more), with trees between road and house, and lots of interesting stuff for cats out back -- all important features for a pet owner. Maybe it's that the place is less than half a mile from town (Moravia) -- I've been there 3 times, for an hour or more each time, (twice at mid-day and once later in the afternoon) and haven't seen any garbage trucks passing -- maybe they get onto 38A further along?

There's not a lot in my price range and I really like this little place, and need to get away from the heavy exposure to agricultural toxins in the huge, beautiful house where I now live. :-(

Thanks, Webmaster -- much better! "

MISSEY1941 wrote on May 13, 2008 9:32 AM:

" FG
I live on 38A,Do not let your cats out of the house! All the pets over the last 20 years have been killed on that road when they were allowed to roam free. "

Farmer's Gal wrote on May 13, 2008 7:35 AM:

" Thanks for the more detailed info, naturelover -- I'm very glad too. I am considering buying my first house, and it's on 38A -- definitely NOT a highway by any stretch of the imagination. I will be awfully glad if it does NOT come with heavy truck traffic night and day; I worry about my 2 indoor/outdoor cats enough as it is. "

nature lover wrote on May 12, 2008 8:58 PM:

" um, I didnt, its a residential street there bub...thats what the big to do is that the trash haulers are not using the correct roads...can u read? if not can u hear? "

ballsymf wrote on May 12, 2008 8:36 PM:

" Nobody twisted your arm to buy a house on a major state highway. "

nature lover wrote on May 12, 2008 7:18 PM:

" FG - he said expedisiously(sp)! the 1st of June! How long have we waited? SOOO happy that this has finally occured. The interstate road systems are made for truck traffic not our side residential streets to all u nay sayers! My plaster is cracking badly since Seneca Meadow opened to downstate about 5 yrs ago. If a truck has to do local delivery that is fine - this isnt what they/we are complaining about ! Its the smelly trash trucks!! And those truckers know they are wrong as they will flip you the bird - so rude. I hope to see trash haulers diminish as my quality of life will definantely improve. C some elected officials DO listen! "

Farmer's Gal wrote on May 12, 2008 5:34 PM:

" Cost of doing business, kids. There's a reason they charge a fee on the Thruway -- it's to repair damages done to the roads by heavy traffic, esp. trucks. The little towns and villages don't HAVE that kind of money to repair our roads and these roads are NOT BUILT FOR HEAVY TRUCK TRAFFIC.

Trucking companies have been cutting corners by passing off their cost of doing business on us -- while endangering our lakes and watersheds, making it unsafe to walk or bike on small roads in our towns, damaging our roads and shaking our homes with damaging noise pollution.

Let the downstate trash haulers pay their own cost of doing business and charge it to those whose trash they are hauling instead of passing it off on us.

And if trucking gets too costly, let them use rail -- less pollution and more containment of traffic. "

Farmer's Gal wrote on May 12, 2008 4:57 PM:

" How long will it take to write and pass the regulations before they start being enforced? (Just curious) "

interested wrote on May 12, 2008 4:29 PM:

" I am not a huge fan of the huge trucks at all- but isn't that a little crazy? Where are they going to go? They are going to have to go the super long ways now and with the cost of gas- truckers might as well kiss their jobs goodbye. "

Coach wrote on May 12, 2008 1:26 PM:

" With the rising cost of FUEL you might not have to worry!! "

nature lover wrote on May 12, 2008 1:03 PM:

" THANK YOU x a million....ya !! "

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