BILL NUMBER: S4379

SPONSOR: WALCZYK
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the allow-
able dimensions and weights of vehicles traveling on highways and bridg-
es

 
PURPOSE:

This bill would allow vehicles with increased weight and dimension to
traverse a short portion of highway between the Ogdensburg Prescott
International Bridge and the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority
entrance.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new paragraph
to subdivision 16 of section 385 to provide for the exemption.

Section 2 provides that the act shall take effect immediately.
              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority (OBPA) seeks an exemption in
the vehicle and traffic law, of approximately 1.7 miles, to accommodate
the international shipment of goods to and from Canada via the Prescott
International Bridge to the Port of Ogdensburg.  Without the exemption,
international shipment costs are increased 300% and 43% more vehicles
are needed to transport necessary commodities.

Section 385 of the vehicle and traffic law places limits on the weight
and dimension of vehicles traveling within the state. Section 385 also
provides various exemptions for vehicles with increased weight and
dimensions, traveling in certain parts of the state. Since there is no
current exemption for vehicles traveling between the Ogdensburg Prescott
International Bridge and the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority, and
since the weight limits imposed by section 385 of the vehicle and traf-
fic law are far below those imposed on Canadian roads, many Canadian
companies are reluctant to expand their operations to the Port of
Ogdensburg. This has an impact on many local industries including agri-
culture and container shipping.

The Port of Ogdensburg is the first U.S. Port on the Great Lakes-St.
Lawrence Seaway System and is strategically located in close proximity
to major markets in the U.S. and Canada. The Port has an active trade
zone and is seeking to expand its international commerce efforts; howev-
er those efforts are being undercut by the lack of an exception in the
vehicle and traffic law for this short section of highway.

Adding this exception will increase international imports and exports,
create jobs in the region and reduce the cost of shipping international
goods, as less vehicles will be required to transport commodities.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2021-2022: S1883

2019-2020: S4713/A.7075.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The act shall take effect immediately.