Truckers who have driven through Saratoga Springs, New York, will be pleased to learn that a pair of neighborhood associations recently failed to eliminate a designated freight transportation route. But residents plan to circle back and try to ban big rigs.
The Van Dam and Church Street associations successfully petitioned the outgoing city council to set a 5-ton weight limit on Van Dam Street, arguing that it is a historic neighborhood and semi-trucks were disruptive. Van Dam Street connects NY-29 to Route 9 northbound and has been a designated truck transportation pathway since 1993.
“Because we believe it’s a, you know, historical city street, it’s a beautiful street, and we would love to get the trucks off of Van Dam Street and find a comprehensive solution for the entire city of Saratoga Springs,” Dennis Gosier, a member of the coalition, reportedly said.
After gaining approval from the previous council, 5-ton weight limit signs were posted. It didn’t take long for the New York Trucking Association to file a grievance with the state’s Department of Transportation. The NY DOT quickly ordered the signs removed. The DOT also issued a statement indicating that local officials do not possess the authority to override state agencies in such matters.
“There’s always a challenge when you have a community and there’s truck traffic that goes through that community. So, we certainly understand the concerns that the community has raised and their frustrations. But, at the end of the day, there is a process,” Katherine Hems, President of the Trucking Association of New York, reportedly said. “And particularly for the trucking industry, when it’s a designated route that the industry has been using for many, many years, and then they suddenly see these signs saying ‘oh, no trucks,’ that creates a lot of angst, obviously within the industry itself.”
Reports indicate residents are not about to take the loss without a fight. Along with finger-pointing and claims of local politics at play, members of the associations appear to be planning to take up the cause, yet again, once a new council is elected.
“We did run into some partisan politics trying to get the ordinance passed. But our association is non-partisan. We’re trying to get, you know, like I said, the trucks banned on Van Dam Street, and we’re not looking to play politics with this, but we’re excited for the new administration. They seem eager to work with us,” Gosier reportedly said.
Sources:
https://www.wamc.org/news/2024-01-22/no-trucking-way-saratoga-springs-weight-limit-repealed
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