The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has taken Kentucy Route 151 (Graefenburg Road) state highway off the National Truck Network after receiving authorization from the Federal Highway Administration. The order went into effect on April 29.
The ban affects trucks exceeding 13.5 feet in height and 96 inches wide. Length cannot exceed the following measurements:
Semitrailers – 65 feet including body and load when operated in a tractor-semitrailer combination;
Trailers – 48 feet including body and load when operated in a tractor-semitrailer combination, not to exceed one per truck and not operated in a tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination;
Single-unit trucks – 45 feet including body and load.
The order comes on an emergency basis for safety considerations after several crashes involving commercial vehicles occurred on the highway. According to KYTC spokesperson Ryan Watts, there were 99 crashes on the highway from 2013 to 2015, 11 involving commercial vehicles. The data did not determine fault.
FHWA authorized the emergency ban while the state compiles data. The state will need to go through the standard procedures of a formal notice on the Federal Register, including public comment, before following through with any recommendations to make the ban permanent.
Since the truck ban happened without much notice, law enforcement will temporarily be giving warnings to truckers driving on the highway. KYTC is currently in the process of putting up signage and notifying the public.
Trucks are required to take Exit 53A off Interstate 64 to U.S. 127 south. Access to local industry along KY 151 will not be affected due to a mile allowance from U.S. 127 and I-64, according to a press release.
