8/19/08-Gov. Mike Easley has signed a bill into law that increases the length of trailers allowed on the state’s primary roads to 53 feet. From the main roads, trucks will be allowed to travel up to three miles on their tributaries.
The new law, previously SB1695, takes effect Sept. 1.
State law already allows 53-foot trailers on 5,600 miles of interstates and designated highways. Trucks are limited to 48-foot trailers on all other roadways.
A provision added to the bill makes it easier for the North Carolina Department of Transportation to place restrictions on certain sections of roads if it found that they were particularly dangerous. Engineers are allowed to close roads and report the closings later.
Also included in the bill is a provision that allows cotton trucks to weigh up to 50,000 pounds on roads built only for lighter vehicles. Those trucks now are limited to 44,000 pounds.
The exception will be applied annually from Sept. 1 to March 1.

7/17/08-The Senate voted 43-1 Wednesday, July 16, to sign off on changes to a bill that would increase the length of trailers allowed on the state’s primary roads to 53 feet. From the main roads, trucks would be allowed to travel up to three miles on their tributaries.
State law now allows 53-foot trailers on 5,600 miles of interstates and designated highways. Trucks are limited to 48-foot trailers on all other roadways.
On Tuesday, July 15, the House approved the bill on a 101-10 vote. The measure – SB1695 – now moves to Gov. Mike Easley’s desk. If signed into law, it would take effect Sept. 1.
Another provision in the bill from Sen. Clark Jenkins, D-Edgecombe, would allow cotton trucks to weigh up to 50,000 pounds on roads built only for lighter vehicles. Those trucks now are limited to 44,000 pounds.
The exception would be applied annually from Sept. 1 to March 1.
For bill status, call (919) 733-9390.

7/11/08-The House Finance Committee voted to advance a bill that would allow longer tractor-trailers on more roads throughout the state.
State law now allows 53-foot trailers on 5,600 miles of interstates and designated highways. Trucks are limited to 48-foot trailers on all other roadways.
The previous version of the bill – SB1695 – allowed the DOT to close routes to trucks after a safety study and a written report to lawmakers. The current version would allow engineers to close roads and report the closings later.
Another provision in the bill from Sen. Clark Jenkins, D-Edgecombe, would allow cotton trucks to weigh up to 50,000 pounds on roads built only for lighter vehicles. Those trucks now are limited to 44,000 pounds.
The exception would be applied annually from Sept. 1 to March 1.
For bill status, call (919) 733-9390.

6/30/08-The House Transportation Committee voted to advance a bill that would allow longer tractor-trailers on more roads throughout the state. The Senate already approved it.
State law now allows 53-foot trailers on 5,600 miles of interstates and designated highways. Trucks are limited to 48-foot trailers on all other roadways.
Sponsored by Sen. Clark Jenkins, D-Edgecombe, SB1695 would increase the length of trucks allowed on the state’s primary roads to 53 feet. From the main roads, trucks would be allowed to travel up to three miles on their tributaries.
The committee amended the bill to allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to close routes to trucks after a safety study and a written report to lawmakers.
Another provision in the bill from Sen. Clark Jenkins, D-Edgecombe, would allow cotton trucks to weigh up to 50,000 pounds on roads built only for lighter vehicles. Those trucks now are limited to 44,000 pounds.
The exception would be applied annually from Sept. 1 to March 1.
The bill has moved to the House Finance Committee. If approved in the House, it would head back to the Senate for consideration of changes before it could go to the governor.
For bill status, call (919) 733-7779.

6/19/08-The Senate unanimously approved a bill that would allow longer tractor-trailers on more roads throughout the state. It now moves to the House.
State law now allows 53-foot trailers on 5,600 miles of interstates and designated highways. Trucks are limited to 48-foot trailers on all other roadways.
Sponsored by Sen. Clark Jenkins, D-Edgecombe, SB1695 would increase the length of trucks allowed on the state’s primary roads to 53 feet. From the main roads, trucks would be allowed to travel up to three miles on their tributaries.
Jenkins amended his bill on the Senate floor to allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to propose making some roads off-limits to long trucks.
Another provision in the bill would allow cotton trucks to weigh up to 50,000 pounds on roads built only for lighter vehicles. Those trucks now are limited to 44,000 pounds.
The exception would be applied annually from Sept. 1 to March 1.
The bill is in the House Transportation Committee. For bill status, call (919) 733-7779.

6/17/08-The Senate Finance Committee voted to approve a bill that would allow longer tractor-trailers on more roads throughout the state.
State law now allows 53-foot trailers on 5,600 miles of interstates and designated highways. Trucks are limited to 48-foot trailers on all other roadways.
Sponsored by Sen. Clark Jenkins, D-Edgecombe, SB1695 would increase the length of trucks allowed on the state’s primary roads to 53 feet. From the main roads, trucks would be allowed to travel up to three miles on their tributaries.
Another provision in the bill would allow cotton trucks to weigh up to 64,000 pounds on roads built only for lighter vehicles. Those trucks now are limited to 44,000 pounds.
The exception would be applied annually from Sept. 1 to March 1.
It also would allow trucks transporting agricultural products from the farm to first market to have gross weights of 90,000 pounds.
The bill has moved to the full Senate for further consideration. For bill status, call (919) 733-7779.

6/5/08-A bill in the Senate Finance Committee would allow longer tractor-trailers on more roads throughout the state.
State law now allows 53-foot trailers on interstates and designated highways. Trucks are limited to 48-foot trailers on all other roadways.
Sponsored by Sen. Clark Jenkins, D-Edgecombe, SB1695 would increase the length of trucks allowed on the state’s primary roads to 53 feet. From the main roads, trucks would be allowed to travel up to three miles on their tributaries.
For bill status, call (919) 733-7779.
The House version – HB2408 – is in the House Transportation Committee.