March 2, 2005

Chesapeake coal traffic in Congress

Capito to introduce bill to allow giant trucks to detour on I-64/77

By Tom Searls
Staff writer

Legislation that would allow giant coal trucks to take the West Virginia Turnpike around Chesapeake is set to be introduced in Congress today by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

Residents of the eastern Kanawha County town have complained loudly since the state made W.Va. 61 running through the middle of the town a designated coal haul road last year, allowing trucks carrying as much as 126,000 pounds to roll through.

“It would probably solve our problem,” said Chesapeake Mayor Damron Bradshaw.

Town residents thought they had stopped the trucks and solved the problem of dirt and mud from them five years ago when the town purchased scales to weigh them. Prior to the Legislature designating W.Va. 61 as a coal haul road last year, trucks were limited to 65,000-pound loads through the town.

Federal law prohibits loads higher than 80,000 pounds on interstates, and the Turnpike is both Interstates 64 and 77. Bradshaw said Congress has allowed heavier loads at specific locations in six states, including West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle.

“I don’t think any of those are more than 93,000 pounds and this may be the biggest ever,” the mayor said.

The proposal would allow up to 126,000-pound loads to travel the Turnpike from the Chelyan exit to the Belle exit.

“Local residents want the trucks out of downtown Chesapeake and it is safer for coal trucks to travel on the interstate,” Capito said in a press release.

Bradshaw said Capito met Monday with state Department of Transportation officials, state Coal Association President Bill Raney and Delegate Mark Hunt, D-Kanawha, before deciding to introduce such legislation.

“I understand she has the support of [Rep. Nick] Rahall and [Rep. Alan] Mollohan, and I know she has the support of [U.S. Sens. Jay] Rockefeller and [Robert C.] Byrd,” the mayor said. The congressmen and senators are all Democrats.

Bradshaw said Capito plans to attempt to attach an amendment to the federal transportation bill that would allow the weight variance.

“She’s in the right party and on the Transportation Committee and if anybody has the power to do it, it’s her,” he said.

He hopes the bill would pass by May.

To contact staff writer Tom Searls, use e-mail or call 348-5192.