Panel votes to allow big trucks on more state roads

RALEIGH, N.C. — A plan to allow longer tractor trailers on more North Carolina roadways is rolling through the House.

The House Finance Committee signed off on a plan Thursday to allow 53-foot tractor trailers on all primary roadways. Current state law restricts them to interstates and designated highways, unlike their 48-foot counterparts.

The panel also voted to create an easier way for the Department of Transportation to restrict truck traffic on roads it deems unsafe.

"I can't tell you how absolutely thrilled I am," said Jennifer Tierney, whose father, James Mooney, was killed 25 years ago in a wreck involving a tractor trailer.

"I would have done anything to have had the opportunity to vote on something that would have saved my dad's life," she added. "And they had the opportunity today, and they did the right thing."

An earlier draft of the bill would have allowed state officials to close roads to trucks after submitting a report to a legislative committee. The new version allows engineers to close roads and report the closing later.

The committee removed a provision to ease restrictions on boat towing because other proposed bills could change those rules.

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Latest Comments

THAT RIGHT GO AHEAD AN GIVE THE TRUCKING LOBBIST WHAT THEY WANT AN FINISH LETTING THEM DESTROY THE ROADS IN NORTH CAROLINA SO THAT THE CONTRACTING INDUSTRY CAN AGAIN GET PAID ANOTHER BIG CONTRACT FOR RESURFACING THEM AGAIN , & AGAIN & AGIN

pbjbeach
July 10, 2008 7:36 p.m.

thats and dandy but strict enforcement of trucks needs to be part of this, speeding unsafe loads, agressive driving all needs to be enforced on the truckers. Same thing with dump trucks, rear license plates, and checking to make sure these drivers have the proper endorsements, the way some truckers around here drive I wonder if they even know how to shift one of those things properly.

silvfx
July 10, 2008 6:04 p.m.

WELL THAT OUGHT TO HELP THE DRIVER BEHIND THE TRUCK SAVE GAS.