MDT tells lawmakers federal law limits blanket truck bans on Highway 212; committee presses for enforcement and targeted fixes

A legal review presented to the Transportation Interim Committee concluded that Highway 212 is a designated segment of the federal National Truck Network and that the Surface Transportation Assistance Act prohibits blanket prohibitions on STAA‑dimension trucks. Deputy Director Larry Flynn quoted the review, saying restrictions must be route‑specific and based on substantial infrastructure deficiencies (inadequate lane width or structural limitations) rather than traffic volume or driver behavior.

Several legislators, led by Senator Andrea Olsen, told MDT staff they have received testimony of numerous crashes and fatalities along Highway 212 and argued for temporary closures or permit regimes while safety reviews proceed. Flynn and enforcement staff said permanent closure is likely not a legally viable tool absent structural reasons; they urged focusing on enforcement, signage, lane configuration changes and targeted enforcement events such as temporary scale inspections. Motor Carrier Services enforcement reported recent multi‑day enforcement events that identified drivers with documentation/immigration issues and removed unsafe trucks from service.

Lawmakers asked whether special permits limiting through‑traffic could be feasible; staff said a permit regime likely faces the same federal legal hurdle unless route‑specific safety deficiencies are demonstrated. Officials agreed to explore enhanced enforcement options, targeted scale events and outreach to trucking companies; the committee asked MDT to continue examining legal options and to report back with further recommendations.