New Jersey Routes 31 and 29 through the Townships of Hopewell, East Amwell, and Lambertville have been the sites of numerous high-profile, sometimes fatal, crashes involving large trucks (MTR #270). Though truck traffic has been increasing everywhere, central Jersey was hit with a distinct wave following the 1993 completion of the I-287 beltway around the NYC area. The volume of trucks traveling Rt. 31 tripled to over 3,000 big rigs a day (MTR #42) during the mid-1990s. I-287 gives truckers a toll-free route through New Jersey if they use smaller routes like 31, 29, and 206 to reach I-287 from the Trenton area. In response, citizens and their representatives from Hunterdon, Mercer, and Somerset Counties helped bring the problem of truck impacts to Governor Whitman's attention as NJ DOT was reviewing its truck rules last summer, a movement that eventually led to the current restrictions (MTR #228, 229).

The ban requires large trucks with neither origin nor destination in New Jersey to stay on the federally-designated "National Network" - in NJ, 545 miles comprising the interstates, the NJ Turnpike, the Atlantic City Expressway and several connecting state routes. Trucks with pick-up or delivery points in New Jersey can still drive pretty much anywhere. Enforcement of the new regulations began at the end of May (MTR #274), prompting the ATA to move for judgment of its suit, now likely to be heard in federal district court in Trenton in September.

According to NJ DOT's latest traffic counts, even after serious enforcement efforts, large trucks are over 10% of all traffic on Route 31. During the week of July 10th an average of more than 1,700 travel through East Amwell Township. Route 29 through Hopewell Township saw 800-900 large trucks daily in the same period.

A spokeswoman for Governor Whitman told the Trenton Times that she is considering "how local law enforcement can play a role in the enforcement of the truck ban," and would consider signing legislation expanding the ban to 96-inch trucks. In addition, recently released NJ DOT draft amendments to the current regulations would close a loophole that allows long-distance truckers based in New Jersey to use non-Network roads on inter-state hauling jobs.

This new definition may aid the State in its defense of the ban against the ATA's lawsuit. The industry group claims the rule violates "freedom of commerce." The state and supporters like the League of Municipalities and the Tri-State Transportation Campaign say it is not unfair because it does not create different impacts on companies competing for the same markets.

Les Hamilton, Mayor of East Amwell Township promised that a broad coalition "will continue to push for expanded state-wide limits no matter what the outcome of this legal battle."

Workshops on NJ DOT's proposed truck rule amendments will be held Sept. 25 and 26. Call 609-530-5720 to get the amendments and for more info.