Inspection station upgrade to allow better checks of overweight trucks

By RON JENKINS
The Associated Press

1/23/2008

OKLAHOMA CITY — Officials say a $61 million project to erect nine state-of-the-art inspection stations will improve highway safety through better enforcement of laws against overweight trucks that wreck Oklahoma highways.

The project was announced Tuesday by members of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and highway officials.

Officials said deterring overweight trucks is vital because of a projected 70 percent increase in commercial vehicle traffic in the next 20 years, putting more stress on already overburdened roads.

Corporation Commission Chairman Jeff Cloud said other states have made truck inspections a priority, while Oklahoma has an antiquated system.

Oklahoma now has seven “weigh” stations where trucks are stopped and weighed, but only six of them are in operation and they are not strategically located, officials said.

For instance, one station is located in El Reno, about 130 miles into the state from the west on Interstate 40, said state Transportation Director Gary Ridley. Ridley said the new inspection stations will be located in border areas.

They will employ technology that will allow trucks to be weighed without stopping.

The technology, according to a video played at the news conference, involves sensors that will be able to sniff out bombs and detect radiation, improving homeland security.

Most of the money — $54 million — to pay for the new stations will come from a Corporation Commission fund originally set up to provide environmental cleanup of leaking underground petroleum storage tanks.

Cloud said legislation will not be required for the project, which will take six years to complete.

Phil Tomlinson, the state’s transportation secretary, said funds have not previously been available to change the system.

Ridley said only 10 percent of commercial vehicles operating on state roads are now being inspected.

Officials said the long-term cost to roads and bridges from overweight vehicles will far outweigh the cost of the nine inspection stations.

The state Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining the stations, while the Corporation Commission is responsible for staffing them.

“This is a classic win-win. We will be able to protect the massive investment the state will be making over the coming years in our transportation infrastructure, as well as protect the driving public, all at no additional expense to the taxpayer,” Cloud said.

Commissioner Jim Roth said the program is great news for counties and cities as well.

“As a former county commissioner, I know first hand the never-ending battle to maintain the local roads. It’s thrilling to now be part of a solution that will help protect people and the public’s investment in state roads, and local roads as well,” Roth said.

“These new facilities will provide effective enforcement through the use of technology that will also allow truckers to continue their business with a minimum of delay,” Anthony said.