5/27/2003

VanKirk Readies For Coal Hauling System

Staff
Charleston

HEAR COMMENTS FROM STATE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY FRED VANKIRK BY CLICKING "LIVE AUDIO" ICON ABOVE.

State Transportation Secretary Fred VanKirk says the interim coal hauling system will be announced next month.

A new state law requires VanKirk to determine which roads in 15 southern West Virginia counties will be designated coal haul roads. Coal truck drivers will be allowed to carry loads of up to 120,000 pounds on those designated highways. The list comes out July 1.

Secretary VanKirk says engineers in his office have been working on the list. He says the DOH has also gotten help from the West Virginia Coal Association.

The interim system will be in place for six months. VanKirk says during that time the roads on the list will be reviewed and the public will have a chance to comment. The transportation secretary says residents will have plenty of opportunities to make their feelings known, but he doubts if there will be public hearings scheduled in all 15 counties.

VanKirk says it's important to remember the first list is only an interim list and roads can be added or deleted by January 1 when the final coal hauling system is established.

July 1 is also a key date for the enforcement part of the new bill. The weight enforcement crew will be transferred from DOH to the state Public Service Commission. The PSC will then be in charge of both truck safety and enforcement when it comes to coal trucks.