ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 97

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED MAY 30, 1996

 

 

By Assemblyman LANCE

 

 

An Assembly Resolution urging the Secretary of Transportation to grant an exemption from federal requirements to the State of New Jersey in order that the State may have greater control over truck traffic.

 

Whereas, Federal law prohibits States from imposing a vehicle width limitation which would prohibit 102 inch wide trucks, the standard width of trucks, from operating on the federal primary system; and

Whereas, Several highways which are a part of the federal primary system in this State are essentially local roadways and are not suitable for high volume of truck traffic; and

Whereas, The high volume of truck traffic on these highways, many of which are two-lane undivided highways, has led to traffic congestion, difficult driving conditions and dangerous situations as several of these highways are also school bus routes; and

Whereas, Federal law permits a State to apply for an exemption from the federal statutory requirement mandating truck access to these highways; and

Whereas, The Commissioner of Transportation has applied for such an exemption for those highways in this State, including, but not limited to, Routes 31 and 206, which are not suited for high volume truck traffic; and

Whereas, The granting of the exemption would allow the Commissioner of Transportation to direct truck traffic to those portions of the State highway system which are better suited for high volume truck traffic; and

Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper for this House, as the elected representatives of the citizens of this State who have heard the concerns of its citizens with regard to high volume truck traffic on highways unsuited to that traffic, to call upon the Secretary of Transportation of the United States Department of Transportation to grant an exemption to the State in order that the citizens of this State may travel more safely on its highways; now, therefore,


    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. The Secretary of Transportation of the United States Department of Transportation is urged to grant an exemption to the State of New Jersey from the federal statutory requirement mandating truck access to certain highways in the State and thereby provide the Commissioner of Transportation of the State of New Jersey enhanced authority to direct truck traffic to those portions of the State highway system which are better suited for high volume truck traffic.

 

    2. A duly authenticated copy of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested thereto by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the Secretary of Transportation of the United States Department of Transportation.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This Assembly Resolution urges the Secretary of Transportation of the United States Department of Transportation to grant an exemption to the State of New Jersey from the federal statutory requirement mandating truck access to certain highways in the State. Several highways which are a part of the federal primary system in this State are essentially local roadways and are not suitable for high volume of truck traffic. The high volume of truck traffic on these highways, many of which are two-lane undivided highways, has led to traffic congestion, difficult driving conditions and dangerous situations as several of these highways are also school bus routes. The grant of the exemption would give the Commissioner of Transportation of the State of New Jersey enhanced authority to direct truck traffic to those portions of the State highway system which are better suited for high volume truck traffic.

 

 

                             

 

Urges Secretary of Transportation to grant exemption from federal requirements in order that the State may have greater control over truck traffic.