3/27/08-Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed a bill into law opening up a four-mile stretch of state Route 97 to large trucks.
The new law, previously SB6857, authorizes the Washington State Department of Transportation to designate the portion of roadway from the Canadian border to the city of Oroville as a heavy haul industrial corridor. Sponsored by Sen. Bob Morton, R-Orient, the designation in the bill allows overweight vehicles to be transported along the stretch of roadway.
The heavy haul distinction authorizes WSDOT to issue special permits to overweight vehicles operating in the corridor up to a gross vehicle weight of 137,788 pounds. Special permits will cost $100 each month, or $1,000 annually.

2/19/08-The Senate unanimously approved a bill that would open up a four-mile stretch of state Route 97 to large trucks. It now moves to the House.
Sponsored by Sen. Bob Morton, R-Orient, SB6857 would authorize the Washington State Department of Transportation to designate the portion of roadway from the Canadian border to Oroville as a heavy haul industrial corridor. The designation would allow overweight sealed containers used in international trade to be transported along the stretch of roadway.
The heavy haul distinction would authorize WSDOT to issue special permits to overweight vehicles operating in the corridor up to a gross vehicle weight of 137,788 pounds. Special permits would cost $100 each month, or $1,000 annually.
The gross vehicle weight limit was amended on the Senate floor. The previous amount was 139,994 pounds GVW.
The bill is awaiting consideration in the House Transportation Committee.
For bill status, call (360) 786-7573. In Washington, call 1-800-562-6000.

2/14/08-A bill in the Senate Transportation Committee would open up a four-mile stretch of state Route 97 to large trucks.
Sponsored by Sen. Bob Morton, R-Orient, SB6857 would authorize the Washington State Department of Transportation to designate the portion of roadway from the Canadian border to Oroville as a heavy haul industrial corridor. The designation would allow overweight sealed containers used in international trade to be transported along the stretch of roadway.
The heavy haul distinction would authorize WSDOT to issue special permits to overweight vehicles operating in the corridor up to a gross vehicle weight of 139,994 pounds. Special permits would cost $100 each month, or $1,000 annually.
For bill status, call (360) 786-7573. In Washington, call 1-800-562-6000.