Trucker restrictions lifted for those taking supplies to western Kentucky

This order was to expire on June 1st

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray has extended an official order temporarily suspending certain restrictions on motor carriers delivering supplies to tornado-damaged areas of western Kentucky.

The order, which was issued on April 1 and set to expire on June 1, will instead remain in effect through 12:01 a.m. EDT on Aug. 1, 2022.  It temporarily relieves commercial drivers from maximum driving times and weigh station stops if providing response to affected areas.

In addition, the order authorizes the Transportation Cabinet’s Department of Vehicle Regulation to waive permit fees and issue an annual overweight/over-dimensional permit for the duration of the emergency, for vehicles which are hauling mobile units and other vital products. Those permits shall be accompanied by individual “Route Evaluations” confirming each move is being performed on an acceptable route.

“Recovery efforts continue from the devastating tornadoes of last December,” Gray stated, “and our Cabinet wants to ensure there’s no delay in getting temporary housing to people who need it.”

80 people died across Kentucky in the December 10-11 tornado outbreak, and 16 western Kentucky counties were declared federal disaster areas.  Recovery efforts continue there.

To ensure the safety of the traveling public, carriers must comply with safety requirements and have a copy of the order in the truck cab if operating under the authority of the official order.

View and download a copy of the order at https://drive.ky.gov/motor-carriers/Pages/Online-Services.aspx.