ALBANY (AP) -- Dozens of truckers plan to roll their rigs past the state Capitol this morning to protest route restrictions proposed by the Department of Transportation.
The DOT proposed a ban on tractor-trailers on numerous local roads in the Finger Lakes region after community residents complained that drivers were leaving the interstate and taking a short-cut through their scenic towns.
The public comment period on the proposed restrictions ends on Friday. The New York State Motor Trucks Association is calling on Governor Paterson today to cut back on the restrictions or scrap them altogether.
The industry says the restrictions cause truckers to use more fuel, travel more miles and take more time to make deliveries, and that results in higher shipping costs that are passed on to businesses and ultimately consumers.
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