CTB Decision Brief
Through Tractor Truck and Trailer and/or Semitrailer Combinations Restriction
Route 43 (Botetourt County) and Route 695 (Bedford County)
Issue: The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors, by resolution, requested that Route 43 (Parkway Drive), a total distance of 4.82 miles, and the Bedford County Board of Supervisors, by resolution, requested that Route 695 (Goose Creek Valley Road), a total distance of 10.01 miles, be restricted to through traffic by tractor truck and trailer and/or semitrailer combinations.
Facts: The County of Botetourt and the County of Bedford held their public hearings in accordance with Section 46.2-809 of the Code of Virginia and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) completed its study of the requests.
VDOT provided due notice and a proper hearing as required pursuant to §46.2-809 of the Code of Virginia by posting and publishing notices, erecting signs at the terminus of the requested restricted routes for thirty days soliciting public comments on the requested restrictions.
Copies of public notices were forwarded to the Virginia Trucking Association for distribution to the trucking industry and other interested parties. No comments on the proposal were received.
The requested restrictions were discussed with CTB Board member Mr. William H. Fralin, Jr.
There is an estimated additional 16.46 miles in travel distance and 20 minutes in travel time if the requested restrictions are approved and the alternate routes are used.
The guidelines and criteria established by the CTB for consideration of requests for through truck restrictions are set forth in a Board regulation, Guidelines for Considering Requests for Restricting Through Trucks on Primary and Secondary Highways (24VAC30-580). The four criteria are listed below, along with information as to whether or not the proposed restriction meets such criteria:
1. Reasonable alternate route is provided. The alternative routes are more appropriate for truck travel and do not impose an undue hardship for trucks.
2. Character and/or frequency of truck traffic is not compatible with affected area. Truck traffic is not compatible with the affected area due to the poor horizontal and vertical alignment in mountainous terrain, in conjunction with pavement widths of 16-feet and 18-feet, narrow shoulders, and the ability of tractor trailers to maintain the vehicle within their travel lane or to become hung-up on the mountainous curves.
3. Roadway is Residential in nature: The section of roadway subject to the proposed restriction is not residential in nature as the residential dwellings are scattered with a relatively low density.
4. Roadway must be functionally classified as either “Local” or “Collector.” The affected routes, are functionally classified as “Collectors”.
A requested restriction must meet both criteria 1 and 2 and either of criteria 3 or 4. The proposed restriction for Route 43 and Route 695 each meet criteria 1, 2 and 4. Therefore, the proposed restrictions for Route 43 and Route 695 meet the criteria required for approval.
Recommendations: VDOT recommends that these requested restrictions for through traffic by tractor trucks and trailers and/or semitrailer combinations be approved.
Action Required by CTB: The Code of Virginia requires a majority vote of the CTB before this restriction can be enacted.
Result, if approved: If approved, through tractor trucks and trailers and semitrailer combinations, pursuant to Code of Virginia Section 46.2-809 will be prohibited from using these sections of Route 43 in Botetourt County and Route 695 in Bedford County.
Options: Approve, deny or defer.
Public Comments/Reactions: 14 comments were in favor and no comment opposed.