The federal government's chief highway official will likely give a green light to the newest draft of state regulations for trucks driving through upstate, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer announced Monday.

According to a written release from his office, Schumer has met with Federal Highway Administration Commissioner Thomas Madison and asked him to support proposed regulations that would prevent non-local solid waste trucks from using certain rural routes as shortcuts.

During the meeting, Madison said he would work to secure federal support for the regulations, according to Schumer's office.

"I am glad that he was receptive to this and indicated that he would give the go-ahead to keeping large, non-local trucks on highways and off rural roads," Schumer stated in the release. "The quicker these regulations go into place, the quicker we can provide much-needed relief to local residents."

Schumer and Gov. David Paterson announced in May that the state Department of Transportation would draft regulations restricting truck traffic along the state's rural routes. The regulations were then redrafted months later after it was revealed that they conflicted with federal traffic regulations.

The proposal came after a group of local officials and residents raised concerns that large trucks carrying trash from New York City to upstate landfills had a negative affect on the infrastructure, safety and environment of upstate communities. Truckers often travel along the routes to avoid Thruway tolls and alleviate gas prices.

Last month, hundreds of truckers and their supporters staged a rally in Skaneateles and drove through the village's main road in protest over the proposal.

Since that rally, area officials have maintained their commitment to get the regulations passed while trucking industry representatives have stated their intent to fight any regulations.