8/7/2013
Transportation department seeks public comment on rules implementing 129,000-pound truck legislation, sets hearing dates
BOISE – Public comment is being sought on proposed administrative rules governing the addition of new 129,000-pound truck routes on the state highway system, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The rules are necessary to implement three bills from the 2013 Legislature.
The legislation follows a pilot project that began in 1998 and recently ended. The project allowed trucks and their cargo weighing a total of 129,000 pounds to use 35 test routes in Idaho. The results of the pilot project indicated there were not significant effects on pavement, bridges, or roadway safety from the 129,000-pound shipments.
Senate Bill 1064 made the test routes permanent on July 1 of this year.
Senate Bill 1117 allows additional routes to be designated by the Idaho Transportation Department and by local highway agencies. House Bill 322 clarifies the intent of the legislation.
Comment is being taken from Wednesday, Aug. 7, to Thursday, Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. on four administrative rules related to 129,000-pound trucks. Among the rules is Administrative Rule 39.03.22-1302, which implements the provisions of SB1117 and adds the process for authorizing additional routes for vehicles weighing up to 129,000 pounds.
Administrative rules ensure a state agency’s procedures are consistent with legislation. The administrative rules are used to implement changes to statutes and govern areas such as the type of permit required.
Public meetings on ITD’s proposed rules are being held in October at:
- The Red Lion Hotel, 1555 Pocatello Creek Road, Pocatello, on Monday, Oct. 7, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- The Shilo Inn Suites, 780 Lindsay Boulevard, Idaho Falls, on Monday, Oct. 7, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- The Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn, 506 W. Appleway Avenue, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- The Red Lion Hotel in Lewiston, 621 21st Street, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- The Best Western Plus Twin Falls Hotel in Twin Falls, 1377 Blue Lakes Boulevard, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- The Red Lion Hotel in Boise, 1800 Fairview Avenue, on Thursday, Oct. 17, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Comments or questions on the rules can be e-mailed to comments@itd.idaho.gov or mailed to: Adam Rush, Idaho Transportation Department, Office of Communications, P.O. Box 7129, Boise, ID 83707-1129.
Additional information about 129,000-pound trucks and the proposed rules can be found at: itd.idaho.gov.