Can anything be done to limit the amount of logging trucks on Gravel Hill Road?

Truck restrictions on primary and secondary highways can be made only after a public hearing is held, according to VDOT Resident Engineer Scot Shippee.

“VDOT is required to maintain a roadway that will hold the weight of the maximum legal load allowed for a particular vehicle unless otherwise posted,” Shippee said.

In VDOT’s 2016 Board of Supervisors Manual, the “Guidelines for Considering Requests to Restrict Through Trucks on Primary and Secondary Highways” states if a locality wishes to restrict certain through trucks on a VDOT-maintained highway, they must first hold a public hearing conducted in accordance with specific procedures, as outlined in the policy.

Pickup trucks and panel trucks are not to be included in such restrictions. During the hearing, attendees have the chance to provide input in regards to the restriction and alternate routes, Shippee said.

He said truck restrictions are intended only in a limited number of cases and where doing so will promote the health, safety and welfare of the public. This is not meant to cause inconvenience to the those utilizing the roads.

In order for VDOT to consider enacting restrictions, the board of supervisors must make a formal request of the department, following the required public hearing. The formal request must be passed by the governing board, according to the guidelines. After the request has been submitted, VDOT evaluates the request based on Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) guidelines, which dictate if a restriction will be possible, Shippee said.

If the proposal does not pass, it could be returned to the governing body to be revised and resubmitted.

“Common issues are the failure to accurately describe the limits of a proposed restriction or the alternate route in either the public notice or the formal resolution presented to VDOT,” Shippee said.

Issues can arise if the proposed alternate route is in another jurisdiction and the affected locality is not in agreement. “Documentation from the affected locality indicating their concurrence with the proposed alternate routing must be included for such situations,” according to the guidelines.

“The criteria stipulate that the proposed restriction must be on a local or residential roadway where there is a safety or incompatibility issue in regard to trucks and a viable alternate route,” Shippee said.

Failure to satisfy those criteria will result in a failure of the proposal.

If a restriction passes, then appropriate signage will be posted on the roads in question, Shippee said.

Both Buckingham County Administrator Rebecca Carter and Shippee said they were not aware of any requests for restrictions on Route 617.