Requires the DOT to determine which entrances to parkways in Westchester county are most frequently accessed by oversized commercial vehicles

1 Co-sponsor

• David Carlucci

Title of bill

An act to require the department of transportation to determine which entrances to parkways in the county of Westchester are most frequently accessed by oversized commercial vehicles and to install certain barriers to prevent such vehicles from accessing such entrances

Purpose

To prevent oversized commercial vehicles from entering Westchester County parkways.

Summary of provisions

Section one authorizes and directs the department of transportation, within one hundred twenty days, to study and determine which entrances to special parkways in Westchester County are used most frequently by commercial motor vehicles and, within one year of making such determination, to install physical barriers to prevent or otherwise hinder such commercial vehicles from accessing such parkways.

Section two authorizes the commissioner of the department of transportation to request and receive, from any department, division, board, bureau, commission or other agency of the state or any state public authority such information and data as will enable the department of transportation to properly conduct its study and make its determinations.

Section three defines commercial motor vehicle and special parkways for purposes of this act.

Section four is the effective date.

Justification

Westchester County police statistics show that commercial trucks wandered onto Westchester passenger-vehicle only parkways some 700-850 times a year for the last several years.

The dangers and damages caused by trucks entering parkways have plagued Westchester County and the State for many years. Even where this is no physical damage, a truck's travel on parkways creates traffic chaos and a safety hazard to other motorists on a road designed for passenger vehicles.

The Village of Rye Brook police statistics show that during a one-year period there were 13 reports of commercial vehicles either hitting the King Street overpass or traveling on the Hutchinson River Parkway.

While the Department of Transportation has taken some measures to reduce the incidence of commercial vehicles on parkways the problem still remains. The installation of truck barriers proposed by this legislation would reduce accidents and hazards to motorists by preventing oversized commercial vehicles from entering Westchester County parkways at the entrances most frequently accessed by these vehicles.

Legislative history

New bill

Fiscal implications

The cost will depend on the type and number of physical barriers determined to be needed by the commissioner of the department of transportation.

Effective date

The act shall take effect ninety days after it becomes law.