KYTC’s Thomas Bans Through-Traffic Heavy Trucks on KY 151 After FHWA Authorization

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Greg Thomas issued an order late last month that bans certain heavy trucks from using KY 151 except for serving local industry, after it received authorization from the Federal Highway Administration to act on an emergency basis.

The state agency had asked the FHWA for emergency authority to remove that route – known locally as Graefenburg Road – in Anderson and Franklin counties from the National Truck Network for safety considerations.

 Thomas

As the AASHTO Journal reported in March, the KYTC action came after a number of truck-related accidents often snarled traffic on the heavily used road, often as big rigs veered off the road.

State authorities earlier said KY 151 had been on the National Truck Network since the ratification of the Surface Transportation Act of 1982, and truckers often used it as a shortcut from Interstate 64 at exit 48 to connect with U.S. 127 in Lawrenceburg. Before the state ban, more than 800 commercial vehicles traveled that segment daily.

KYTC officials said they sought an emergency FHWA authorization because that would take about a year off the normal process of removing a road segment from the official truck route. But since the FHWA action was not final approval to remove the route, the KYTC said it will continue to work with the FHWA “to secure the permanent removal of KY 151 from the National Truck Network.”

That will require posting of a formal notice in the Federal Register, and a public comment period, before a final removal petition can move forward.

The KYTC on April 29 issued its order, following receipt of an April 27 approval action by the FHWA.

“After a deliberate review of all safety factors and recommendations, it is incumbent upon the Cabinet to take immediate action limiting the amount of truck traffic on Graefenburg Road,” said Thomas. “We have also met with local industry leaders and determined this action will have a minimal impact on their businesses. I commend our partners at FHWA for expediting the order.”

The order allows the KYTC to temporarily ban vehicles with a trailer length of 53 feet or 8.5-ft. width from traveling on KY 151. Commercial vehicles that are exempt from the order include box trucks, farm and construction vehicles, garbage trucks and those used in local deliveries.

The trucks now prohibited from the route can take I-64’s exit 53A to US 127 south.

The KYTC also said it was notifying regional trucking associations, local governments, local industry and law enforcement of the change, and would use variable message boards and permanent signage to alert motorists.