Schumer Announces Senate Successfully Struck Provision in the T-HUD Appropriations Bill That Would Have Allowed Oversized Trucks On Major NYS Roadways

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer today announced, after his push, the Senate has struck a provision in the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations bill that would have permitted twin 33-foot trucks on the Long Island Expressway and across other major New York State roadways. Schumer said this provision would have preempted New York State law; roughly 80 fatal accidents have involved large trucks across Long Island, a number the Senator says would only rise if these new trucks were allowed on the road. Schumer successfully fought the provision, and today it was struck from the Senate T-HUD bill.

"It's good news for all of Long Island and all of New York that the Senate has pulled the emergency brake on this dangerous provision allowing trucks the size of an 8-story building on our roads. The fact of the matter is, these longer, double-hitched tractor-trailers are a tremendous road safety risk to people and infrastructure alike: they take longer to stop, they have wider turning radiuses, and they place a greater strain on our roads and bridges which are already in need of repair," said Senator Schumer. "The marginal increase in shipping efficiency does not outweigh the tremendous safety risks of these larger trucks on our roadways, and I am pleased that my colleagues have helped me in striking this provision from the appropriations bill."

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