In a quick reaction to the growing concerns that Fairfield County was getting ignored by Hartford yet again, Governor Rell announced that the truck inspections will commence at the weight station in Greeniwch. And not a moment too soon. Today I-95 travellers are faced with a beer truck that collided with another truck at 5am between exits 13-14 northbound, and another truck that wedged itself in the Metro North train underpass on the Boston Post Road in Darien.
“We will not tip off drivers by announcing specific hours in which the weigh station will be open, but I want the people of Fairfield County to know that we are focused on this part of the state and we will continue to be aggressive in our efforts to enforce our truck safety laws,” she said.
The weigh station will be open at least 8 hours starting next week. State Senators Andrew McDonald-D Stamford and Bob Duff-D Norwalk were pleased with the news.
“This is a reaction to our complaints,” said Duff, who has pushed for legislation that would increase weigh station hours.
The Greenwich station, which is regularly staffed eight work shifts a week and not open on weekends, also needs to be open at least 12 hours a day not eight, he said.
“This is the gateway of Connecticut and there are many trucks coming through here from New York and New Jersey that can be stopped at the border,” Duff said. “This is also just this week (the increased inspections). After that we’ll go back to the same old same old.”
McDonald said it seems Rell has taken his and Duff’s statements “to heart,” and he’s glad she’s stepped up the staffing hours at the Greenwich station. However, he doesn’t see why the increased hours can’t continue after seven days, he said.
“What’s the justification for not keeping it open at least eight hours a day every day?” he asked rhetorically. “These short term hits don’t do a lot to provide a deterrence to truckers that are violating the laws.”
To prevent traffic hazards, state police said they may temporarily close the weigh station if truck traffic backs up onto the highway.
On Monday and Tuesday, state inspectors and police checked 263 commercial vehicles, placing 73 large rigs and 23 drivers out of service. They also issued $41,800 in fines.
source: Connecticut Post, Beer truck crash slows I-95 north, September 20, 2007
source: The Hour, Rell boosts area truck safety law enforcement, September 20, 2007
