SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 54

(By Senators Plymale, Boso, and Cline)

[Introduced March 8, 2018]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the effect of new vehicle and load configurations and vehicles with increased gross weights and sizes on roads and related infrastructure in West Virginia.

Whereas, The increased capacity and ability of modern vehicles to transport commodities and products, together with increased economic pressures to reduce industry transportation costs and increased environmental pressures to lower carbon dioxide emissions, create economic incentives to increase the loads vehicles may transport; and

Whereas, Increasing the types of vehicles, weight of vehicles, and types of loading and trucking configurations permitted on roads would increase economic development opportunities in West Virginia; and

Whereas, Excessive weights of vehicles can result in the deterioration of roads and bridges, creating significant costs in lost road and bridge use and life; and

Whereas, Certain vehicle types, vehicle configurations, load configurations, and other factors can alleviate or avoid damaging effect on infrastructure from increased vehicle and load weights; and

Whereas, The West Virginia Department of Transportation and Division of Highways, the West Virginia Department of Commerce, private industry, including manufacturers of commodities or products, and the engineering community, including the College of Information Technology and Engineering at Marshall University and the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University, should be encouraged to cooperate and to study the effect various trucking configurations and weights have on West Virginia’s road system; and

Whereas, Such study should include an analysis of which vehicle and load configurations and weights may be utilized with minimal consequence to West Virginia’s infrastructure while permitting industry to transport commodities and products in the most economical ways; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the effect of new vehicle and load configurations and vehicles with increased gross weights and sizes on roads and related infrastructure in West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance enlist the assistance of the West Virginia Department of Transportation and Division of Highways, private industry, the West Virginia Department of Commerce, and West Virginia schools with engineering programs; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2019, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.