Drivers Oppose Efforts To Ban Big Rigs
SKANEATELES -- Approximately 300 trucks tied up the main street through Skaneateles Friday as part of a protest against plan to ban big rigs from some rural roads. The protest was organized by Truckers and Citizens United and was planned to coincide with the Dickens Christmas celebration in Skaneateles.
For decades, many residents of the Central New York village have tried to get the state to restrict truck traffic. Truckers carrying garbage from New York City use Routes 41 and 20 as a shortcut to the Seneca Meadows landfill near Waterloo.They claim the trucks affect their quality of life, present a safety hazard on narrow roads leading into Skaneateles, and pose a pollution threat to Skaneateles Lake. Governor Paterson is considering some restrictions to route the big rigs onto the Thruway.
Truckers say they have as much of a right to the roads as anyone else and say they pay taxes like everyone else. They also claim forcing them to use the Thruway would greatly add to their cost of doing business.
The parade of trucks was greeted by hundreds of supporters who lined Route 20 through the village. Many cheered as the truckers blared their horns and waved at the crowd. State Police, Onondaga County Sheriff's deputies and Skaneateles Police monitored the protest and directed traffic.
