In response to the dangers posed by scores of trucks hauling non-local solid waste across local rural roads in the Finger Lakes and Central New York, Governor David A. Paterson and U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) will institute a new policy intended to keep large trucks, with the exception of local pick-up and delivery vehicles, on the National Interstate Highway System.

Each day, non-local, garbage-laden trucks leave the interstates and cut through towns across the Finger Lakes and Central New York to save money on gas and avoid tolls and weigh stations. The trucks jeopardize the region’s quality of life by hazardously barreling down small rural roads that are unable to handle their weight. They also carry noxious solid waste near the region’s numerous lakes, threatening vital drinking water sources like Lake Skaneateles.
“For far too long, people living throughout the Finger Lakes in Onondaga, Cayuga and Tompkins counties have been suffering, trying to get big rigs off the back roads winding through the region,” said Governor Paterson. “Residents have rightfully voiced concerns about trucks spilling garbage into lakes and watersheds. People also have expressed concern that the large trucks are damaging roads and houses, emitting fumes, creating noise and making it dangerous to walk or ride bikes on the roadways. I am pleased to announce that I have directed the New York State Department of Transportation to develop a new regulatory policy aimed at keeping large trucks off the Main Streets of Central New York and on the Interstate System, where they should be.”

“These state regulations are something that the people of Skaneateles and the Finger Lakes area have sought for a very long time. There is finally light at the end of the (garbage truck) tunnel,” said Senator Schumer. “Governor Paterson, to his credit, has seen that state regulations are the way to go to get trucks – whether they be public or private, from New York City or elsewhere – off our community roads and onto the highways where they belong.”

Over 1.9 million trucks carry freight through Central New York each year. In recent years, there have been numerous accidents spilling fuel, garbage and chemicals, all posing a potential threat to the Onondaga County watershed and surrounding neighborhoods. In addition, the trucks disrupt communities at all hours of the day and night.

DOT will develop a new set of regulations for large truck routings that will balance the need for large trucks to serve the State’s economy with the need to promote sustainable economic development, tourism and improved quality of life for local residents. This policy will reduce truck traffic in many local communities by keeping large trucks on the national truck network for as much of the trip as possible. This new truck policy will be implemented initially in the Finger Lakes region before being expanded to the rest of the State. DOT will hold a public meeting to solicit input from the trucking industry, business, other stakeholders and the public for use in developing these regulations.

Currently, in order to avoid paying tolls, or to save money on gas, garbage trucks traveling from New York City to landfills in Upstate New York leave the interstate roads that are better equipped to handle their weight and size, choosing instead to travel small country roads that wind in and out of the Finger Lake and Central New York region. While the waste hauling companies save only minimal dollars, it burdens local communities with noise, deteriorating roads and safety concerns.

Senator John A. DeFrancisco said: “I am pleased that the Governor is helping to address the serious threat that truck traffic poses to our towns and villages. As most of you are aware, I have been working to get legislation enacted to protect environmentally sensitive areas such as Skaneateles Lake, by establishing a truck routing agency to keep trucks off our village roads and on the Interstates. This is an essential step toward alleviating the truck traffic problem and protecting our towns and villages and their treasured resources. I applaud the Governor for his assistance.”

Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton said: “Getting garbage transport trucks off of our local roads is a vitally important safety and quality-of-life issue. I have long been committed to coming up with a realistic long-term solution to this problem, and I will remain involved in this process until we address all outstanding issues and achieve that goal. I am grateful that Governor Paterson and Senator Schumer are working with us in this effort. Under their leadership, I know that we can all work together to develop a workable and effective policy that will protect our communities.”

Assemblyman Will Barclay said: “Protecting the quality of life for all of these residents who are dealing with major haulers driving through their communities on a daily basis has become a matter of urgency. I am pleased the Governor is addressing this problem and asking the Department of Transportation to manage the truck traffic in the Finger Lakes region, as I have advocated for in the Assembly.”

Barbara Clary, President of the Upstate New York Safety Coalition Task Force, said: “Our bi-partisan Upstate Safety Task Force is excited about Governor Paterson's interest, efforts and visit to our community today. We are all pleased to see that the Governor has taken immediate action to bring relief from these long-distance trash haulers on our local roads. Many thanks to US Senator Charles Schumer and the local elected officials, who have worked for years to find a solution for the residents and for the trucking industry. We have high hopes that Governor Paterson will be a partner of our Task Force during his time as our chief executive.”

The Finger Lakes and surrounding wine region is the first area where this new policy will be instituted. The area – known for its scenic roads – is a premier tourist draw for Central New York and a resource that the Governor is committed to developing as an economic and cultural asset for the State.

The national interstate system was originally designed to be the best and safest route for transporting freight by truck. The system is built to higher standards than local roads, and is intended for non-local travel. The local roads in Central New York and Finger Lake communities were not built to the same standards and are more appropriate for local travel.

Local economies depend on local roads to provide capacity and accessibility to serve local needs. Requiring large trucks to use the national network will reduce truck travel on local roads and allow the roads to better serve their communities. There will also be environmental and community benefits including reduced vehicle emissions and noise, and energy savings because trucks will be able to operate at continuous speeds allowed on Interstate highways, avoiding stop-and-go travel.

Recently, New Jersey developed truck routing regulations requiring large trucks to utilize the national network. New York State intends to build on the New Jersey approach and to develop a policy and regulatory framework for truck routing by using the national truck network to the maximum extent practicable.

“These trucks have created a problem that desperately needs a solution,” said Governor Paterson. “I am pleased that we have been able to craft a solution that will not only preserve quality of life, but also protect the rights of businesses in New York State.”