Local Governments Learn Options For Regulating Heavy Traffic

Municipal leaders from across Potter County attended a workshop on rural roads’ law enforcement and public safety issues Thursday at the Gunzburger Building in Coudersport. Growth of the natural gas industry has increased traffic on roads that were not designed for the greater volume or weight.

Corporal Sean Batterson (shown) from the Pennsylvania State Police barracks on Denton Hill was among the presenters. Approximately 70 township and borough representatives  participated. Municipal officials learned how they can work with police to improve enforcement of laws pertaining to public safety and protection of roads and bridges from damage due to overweight and oversized vehicles.

Potter County Planning Director Charlotte Dietrich, who organized the workshop, distributed copies of a sample ordinance townships and boroughs might want to consider to regulate the travel of oversize or overweight vehicles on municipal-owned roads. She can be reached for more information  at 274-8254.

Corporal Batterson emphasized that state police are willing to patrol the roads where violations are likely to occur and issue citations, but townships also have responsibilities. “The most important thing to remember is that we’re doing this for safety and to protect our roads,” he said. “We’ve seen these developments already in Bradford and Tioga counties. It’s a learning process for all of us and there are going to be some growing pains.” State Police and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) have also launched Operation FracNET, a dedicated enforcement operation focusing on commercial vehicles hauling equipment and waste water from Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling operations. Police teams check vehicle braking systems, exterior lighting and other equipment that plays a role in operational safety, as well as whether drivers possess the appropriate operator licenses. DEP inspects for issues pertaining to vehicle weight, waste hauler authorizations and standards for maintaining safe and secure loads.