12/20/07-Large trucks traveling through St. Louis no longer will be allowed to use the far left lane along a stretch of interstate on the city’s west side starting New Year’s Day.
Trucks with a registered gross weight of at least 24,001 pounds will be prohibited from driving in the far left lane of Interstate 70 within three miles of the intersection with state Route 370 in St. Charles County. Missouri 370 starts in St. Peters at I-70 and ends in Hazelwood at Interstate 270.
The affected stretch of I-70 stretches from mile marker 221 and 227 in both directions.
The truck lane restriction was included in a 211-page bill signed into law this spring by Gov. Matt Blunt.
The Missouri Department of Transportation is working on posting signage to alert truckers within the affected area.
Violators will face as much as $1,000 fines and/or one year behind bars. Exceptions to the rule would be made for emergency situations or road work.