Trash trucks must find a new route

Have you ever seen a garbage truck rollover out in the Finger Lakes region?

 

Well, you’re not the only one, and now, thanks to Gov. David Paterson, the problem may soon cease to exist.

 

Trash trucks will no longer be allowed to take short cuts across upstate New York’s scenic country highways and will be required to stay on the state’s major interstates as they transport waste to upstate landfills, Paterson said today, according to an Associated Press report.

 

Paterson directed the state Department of Transportation to immediately begin developing regulations for large truck routes and gave the agency until June 1 to finish and present its plan for public comment, according to the AP.

 

The new regulations will keep all large trucks on the national interstate network for as much of a trip as possible. They will not affect local pickup and delivery trucks, according to the AP.

 

Paterson expected to have the regulations in place before the end of the summer, taking effect initially in the Finger Lakes region but eventually expanded statewide. Violations will carry substantial fines and the new rules will be enforced by local and state police, Paterson said.