Bill would ban vehicles with more than two axles from bridge

A bill filed recently in the state Senate would forbid all vehicles with more than two axles from driving over the Sakonnet River (Route 24) and Pawtucket (I-95) bridges. While the 22-ton limit on both bridges would remain in effect, Senate bill S 2891 would ban a number of vehicles that are presently able to use the bridges.

And it has local truckers and contractors (although some who were asked said they had never heard about this latest proposal) worried that it might cause them long detours and higher costs.

The measure was introduced by Senators Dennis Algiere (Westerly, Charlestown) and James Doyle (Pawtucket. Sen. Algiere said he did so at the request of the governor's office and the state Department of Transportation (DOT), and referred any questions to the DOT.

Robert Rocchio, managing engineer of the DOT's traffic design section, cited two reasons for the proposal.

First, "to preserve the integrity of the two bridges for as long as possible."

And second, "to provide means to pay for enforcement" of the bridge restrictions. The bill proposes fines of $3,000 for the first offense, $5,000 for second offense which Mr. Rocchio said could help cover the $40,000 monthly cost of paying State Police to enforce the limits at overtime pay rates.

And he said the two-axle rule would make enforcement simpler for police.

"We know that some trucks are not taking the detours and it is very difficult for State Police to identify an overweight vehicle simply by looking at it — they don't have X-ray vision," Mr. Rocchio said. If the rule is two axles, violation will be clear-cut, he said, adding that not many two-axles vehicles reach 22 tons, even fully loaded, while many three-plus axle vehicles weigh 22 tons or more.

"Unfortunately there will be a little bit of an inconvenience to some drivers but we feel it is a necessary step," he said.

The proposal, which has been earmarked for further study, stipulates that "any and all emergency vehicles, state vehicles, municipal vehicles and Rhode Island Public Transit Authority vehicles shall be exempt from the provisions of this section."

Mr. Rocchio acknowledged that large tour buses with three axles will be forced to detour, but said most of these are in excess of 22 tons anyway.

Asked whether vehicles towing trailers will be affected, Mr. Rocchio said no, although the bill does not make that clear. He said it may be necessary to "tighten the language."

Some local truckers and contractors say they fear the measure would have a severe impact on their cost of doing business.

Peter Brennan, owner of Brennan and Sons Inc., an excavating business in Tiverton, said, "this will cripple us and a lot of others."

Mr. Brennan, who does much of his business on Aquidneck Island, makes constant trips to and from the island towing heavy equipment or with three-axle type trucks.

"With the 22-ton limit, at least we can go one way over the Sakonnet Bridge," Mr. Brennan said. The loaded trucks or trailers exceed the weight limit so must take the long detour around through Warren and Bristol and over the Mount Hope Bridge. Empty though, these same vehicles are light enough to cross the Sakonnet River Bridge.

"That would mean that all of our trips would have to be across Mount Hope which will bring a whole lot more traffic to Bristol," he said.

"And it is going to push everyone's costs way up," he said, pointing to sky-high diesel costs and the expense of lost work time. "These are costs everyone will have to pass on to customers."

A board member of the R.I. Independent Contractors and Associates, Mr. Brennan said all manner of businesses will be hit — landscapers, mid-sized delivery box trucks — "all sorts of things that are way lighter than 22 tons when they are empty or just partly loaded ... And what about trailers, boat trailers. Has anybody thought all of this through?"

Local lawmakers said they too have concerns.

State Senator Walter Felag, who represents Tiverton, Warren and Bristol, said he was approached by Sen. Algiere and asked if he would be willing to co-introduce the bill.

"I refused," Sen. Felag said. "There seem to be a lot of unanswered questions."

Sen. Felag said that, for him, those questions include:

* How much of a safety issue is there on that bridge if they can allow heavy emergency vehicles over?

* What is the impact on businesses here?

* Have they, or will they, contact local town councils for their input?

* What about Little Compton students who are bussed over to Portsmouth?

* Are the fines ($3,000 for first offense, $5,000 for second offense) consistent with Massachusetts and Connecticut?

Senator June Gibbs, whose district includes Tiverton, Little Compton, Newport and Middletown said that while she understands the need to make enforcement simpler, "I'm concerned that it puts another restriction on those who use the bridge in their business. If a truck with over two axles is going over the bridge unloaded it is not a danger. I would hope that we could find a better solution to the problem. Failing that I am prepared to propose an addition exemption for those vehicles with more than two axles which could never be over 22 tons because of what they are used for."

By Bruce Burdett

bburdett@eastbaynewspapers.com

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