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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TODAY: 6/12/08
Contact: Suzanne Redmond (315) 255-3045
FINCH ANNOUNCES GOVERNOR'S SUPPORT FOR TRUCK TRAFFIC CONTROL
Yesterday, Governor
David Paterson announced his support for a new policy that would
regulate truck traffic and would prevent
tractor-trailers from using small towns and rural roads as shortcuts.
According to Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C - Springport), the
Department of Transportation should implement the new regulations in the
near future.`
"My colleagues and I have been fighting to protect
small towns and villages in the Finger Lakes Region and Central New York
from
unnecessary truck traffic, and having the governor on our side will
hopefully expedite the process," said Finch.
Almost 280 trucks a day, or around two million a year,
carry freight along rural and town roads in Central New York in order to
shorten
trip times and save gas. Many of the trucks transport low level
hazardous wastes near the Finger Lakes, spill garbage and emit noxious
fumes. They also cause major damage to small local roads, which aren't
designed to handle the weight of large trucks, causing safety concerns
for people who walk or bike along the roadways and threaten the peaceful
atmosphere of Central New York.
The regulations would designate which routes should be
used by trucks, requiring them to use interstate highways whenever
possible. The governor has also proposed plans to slow speeds and
improve safety on specific routes in the area.
"There will be a series of public hearings held
throughout the region and I strongly urge the public to attend and voice
their opinions
about the proposed regulations. The schedule has not been released yet
but, when it is, I will post it on my website and make the schedule and
regulations available to the public at my office in Auburn."
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