|
|
 
|
 |
|
|
This news story originally provided by The Register Herald
March 16, 2005
Turnpike seeks fee to allow coal trucks
Manager says upkeep will cost more where tolls not collected now
By Mannix Porterfield/REGISTER-HERALD REPORTER
CHARLESTON - Turnpike Manager Greg Barr wants the Legislature to
provide a special fee covering wear and tear if coal trucks can haul
126,000 in a 4-mile stretch.
A proposal before the Senate would grant an exemption from the
federally mandated weight limit of 80,000 pounds on an Interstate
highway.
Sens. Brooks McCabe and Dan Foster, both D-Kanawha, are seeking the
waiver to relieve the 400 townspeople in Chesapeake, angered by
clouds of dust and mud in their community.
Barr sympathizes with their plight, but says the toll road needs
compensation if the waiver is granted.
"Heavier coal trucks will be traveling that section from Chelyan to
Marmet," Barr said Tuesday, after the Senate Transportation and
Infrastructure met to take up the issue but failed to get a quorum.
"There's no toll booths there, so there's no way for us to get any
revenue from those trucks. They would be getting on and off free."
Barr pointed to an increased burden on the roadway, along with the
requirement crews conduct additional sweeping to rid it of dust and
related debris.
"Right now, there's a permit fee that coal trucks pay to the state,
but we don't get any share of the fees."
Thus, the parkways authority needs some source of income to cover
the increased costs of maintaining that 4-mile section, Barr said.
Barr pointed out the turnpike gets no federal or state money.
"We maintain the road solely with toll revenues," he said.
"When there's a heavier burden like this, getting on between toll
plazas, then we don't have any revenues to offset the wear and
tear."
The McCabe-Foster proposal isn't the only one dealing with coal trucks.
Shortly before Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley, planned to call his transportation committee together, Senate Minority Leader Vic Sprouse, R-Kanawha, offered a resolution asking Congress to allow a variance for 30 miles between Marmet and Mossy in Fayette County.
And, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., earlier sought a waiver from Milepost 85 to Milepost 97.
Barr cannot officially voice opposition to any of the proposals, but says the turnpike needs some assurance of revenue to pay for upkeep, if any is approved.
The resentment in communities in the Kanawha Valley is understandable to Barr.
"Houses are right on the road," the manager said.
"Trucks are giving off a lot of dust, mud, dirt and whatnot. It's coating their houses and cars with dirt. It tears up their streets. They want them out of there. I feel for the burden of the people in Chesapeake. Maybe 400 residents are being severely inconvenienced by this."
Often, he said, trucks are getting on at Mossy and don't see a toll plaza until hitting Milepost 82 going northbound.
"What happens is, when they approach Barrier C (near Charleston), they get off at the Sharon exit and go into Paint Creek to the tipples to avoid the toll," Barr said.
"If they're going to designate them to drive on the turnpike (with a waiver), then they shouldn't allow them to get off on those other side roads. Make them go through the toll plazas."
Barr said the McCabe-Foster resolution raises a safety issue, as well.
From April to October, the busy vacation period, he pointed out, the 88-mile toll road plays host to upwards of 50,000 vehicles daily, mostly tourists.
With coal trucks, there's a difference when compared to other rigs, he said.
"They give off some dust and little bits and particles or mud, or rock, and coal," he said.
"It's hard to ride behind one, especially when they're going 70 miles per hour - the speed limit between Marmet and Chelyan."
The frustration of trailing motorists poses a safety factor, he said.
"Cars coming up on trucks to switch lanes creates a problem with people changing lanes all the time," Barr said.
"I'm a little concerned about that from a safety perspective."
- E-mail: mporterfield@register-herald.com
|
OVEC Home Issues Contact Join Site Map |
|