Archive: News

Albany, NY (08/17/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson announced Tuesday that actions taken by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) are reducing the number of large, oversized and overweight trucks, particularly those hauling municipal solid waste (MSW), traveling on roads through Finger Lakes communities. These actions maintain the delicate balance between safety, quality of life and economic vitality. Rather than issuing a new regulation, the State is utilizing NYSDOT's existing regulatory powers in combination with new strategies and tools to resolve the issue of large through-trucks traveling in the Finger Lakes.

"When I visited the Finger Lakes region, I pledged to have the New York State Department of Transportation take a fresh look at this issue, and develop fair solutions to help those who live, work and recreate in the area," Governor Paterson said. "Together with Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee and officials in other State agencies, we have taken a number of steps to address local concerns and develop solutions tailored to meeting the needs of individual communities. Thanks to the cooperation and input of local businesses, community residents and State and local governments, working solutions have been identified and put into action."

"At the direction of Governor Paterson, the Department of Transportation, in concert with other State agencies and local governments, has implemented strategies to address the issues raised by Finger Lakes communities," said NYSDOT Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee. "We hold firm on our commitment to Finger Lakes residents that the Department will continue to work with everyone involved to ensure that the needs of those who live and travel on these roads will be addressed. We have heard from local residents that the steps we have taken are making a difference, and we pledge to continue to take further actions to achieve solutions that preserve the quality of life, commerce, agriculture, and safety of Finger Lakes communities."

Public input has been the key to the process of developing and implementing the strategies to address the issue of large through-trucks in the Finger Lakes. These strategies include, but are not limited to:

• Routing Restrictions for MSW Trucks: At the direction of the Governor, Empire State Development Corporation negotiated an agreement with Seneca Meadows Landfill and the Seneca County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) to include a routing-restriction clause in the landfill's new and/or renewed contracts with waste haulers. MSW trucks that come from outside the Finger Lakes area are directed to use the interstate highway system (Interstate 81 and NYS Thruway), exiting the NYS Thruway at exit 41. The agreement is being phased in as Seneca Meadows' contracts are renewed, and we are already witnessing significant reductions on local roads. We expect that by October 2011, all MSW haulers from downstate New York, who are under contract with Seneca Meadows, will be bound to these routing restrictions. Discussions continue with other landfills including Ontario County Landfill and High Acres Landfill for similar restrictions.

• New Oversize and Overweight Permit Conditions: In November 2008, the New York State Department of Transportation imposed new permit conditions that limit oversize and overweight trucks operating under the Department's permits from using seven identified highways in the Finger Lakes Region: [NY 79 from I81 Exit 8 to NY 13A, NY 41 from I 81 Exit 12 to US 20, NY 90 from I 81 Exit 12 to US 20, NY 41A from NY 41 to US 20, NY 96 from NY 89 to NY 414 and from NY 414 to US 20, NY 38 from NY 90 to NY 34, and NY 89 from NY 96 to US 20]. This is the first time NYSDOT has applied such a regulatory restriction to any area of the State.

• Increased Truck Inspections: To assure that those trucks permitted to operate on these routes are safe, the number of truck inspections conducted in this region has nearly doubled, with more planned based on input from involved communities regarding future inspection locations. NYSDOT has developed new tools to assist in the enforcement process, and is working with State and local police to facilitate inspections.

• Lowered Speed Limits: NYSDOT has worked with local officials and others to extend lower speed limit areas where possible and appropriate, and has used other "traffic calming" methods to help protect pedestrians and bicyclists.

• Community Meetings: Representatives from the Governor's Office and NYSDOT have traveled to the Finger Lakes to meet with community members to listen, provide an update on actions taken, and receive feedback and suggestions toward a balanced and effective outcome. These meetings and discussions will continue.

• Increased Public Reporting Options:

Residents may contact the traffic division at State Police Troops C, D and E from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to report problems with trucks. Here are the telephone numbers:

Troop C (Sidney):

Troop D (Oneida):

Troop E (Canandaigua):

In addition to these steps, the Governor's Office, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the NYSDOT have begun discussions with the Ontario County and High Acres landfills to identify potential mitigation solutions. Working closely with the Upstate Safety Task Force, regional solutions such as potential shared law enforcement services and additional inspection sites continue to be explored. The continued goal is to create workable and balanced solutions for all Finger Lakes residents.

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