OOIDA Call to Action – Texas members
August 10, 2009

Attention: Texas truckers! Adopting lane restrictions for any class of vehicle is an ill-advised step to take – expanding restrictions is downright bone-headed and will cause more problems than they fix. But that’s exactly what a regional development group is proposing to do on four Texas interstates.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments is scheduled to hold three public hearings this week to discuss their plans to restrict trucks with three or more axles from using the left lanes along Interstates 20, 30, 45 and 820. Trucks would be allowed to access the lane for passing only.

Trucks now are restricted from the left lane on certain sections of I-30 in Tarrant County and I-20 in Dallas County.

Proposed truck lane restriction expansion:

• Interstate 20: counties of Dallas, Kaufman and Tarrant from U.S. 377 in Fort Worth to FM 740 in Mesquite.
• Interstate 30: Tarrant County from Dale Lane in Fort Worth to FM 157 in Arlington.
• Interstate 45: counties of Dallas and Ellis from I-30 in Dallas to FM 3413 in Ennis.
• Interstate 820: Tarrant County from Westpoint Boulevard in Fort Worth to I-20 in Fort Worth.

The development group needs to know that when you start restricting vehicles to certain lanes you end up with more vehicles tailgating and making unsafe passing maneuvers in all lanes. This isn’t good for congestion or highway safety. Lane restrictions simply discourage smart, safe driving practices.

Public hearings are scheduled Monday, Aug. 10, through Wednesday, Aug. 12. Details are included below.

• Monday, Aug. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at Ennis High School, 2301 Ensign Road, Ennis, TX 75119.
• Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at Fort Worth International Transportation Center, 1001 Jones St., Fort Worth, TX 76102.
• Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at Lancaster City Hall, 211 N. Henry St., Lancaster, TX 75146.

To submit comments by mail, send to Maribel Chavez, P.E. District Engineer, Fort Worth District, Texas Department of Transportation, 2501 S.W. Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76133. Comments must be received by the close of business on Monday, Aug. 24.

Once the comment period is concluded, the council will submit its results to the Texas Department of Transportation. TxDOT is hopeful of launching the next phase of lane restrictions by the spring of 2010.