David Barnes
| Senior CorrespondentHours Proposal Could Slow Road Construction
Road construction could take as much as 20% longer to complete and cost as much as 15% more if proposed changes in hours-of-service regulations for truck drivers take effect, according to Associated General Contractors of America.
The trade association, which represents 32,500 construction-related businesses, is fighting a proposal by the Department of Transportation to eliminate a 4-year-old law that allows construction vehicle drivers to restart their on-duty clock after 24 consecutive hours of rest.
Sixteen states have taken advantage of the 1995 federal law, which allows drivers of construction trucks to exceed the current hours-of-service regulations limiting commercial vehicle operators to 10 hours of driving during a 15-hour shift.
More HOS Coverage | |
Report: DOT Uncertain of Hours Proposal's Life-Saving Effects (July 19) Feds Leery of Trucking's Reaction to Hours Plan (July 17) Lawmakers Have Yet to Meet to Discuss Hours Ban (July 17) | |
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Current experience in states allowing long days demonstrates no evidence for DOT’s position, the trade group argues.
For the full story, see the July 17 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.