81 FR 39096 - Emergency Deletion of National Network Route-Kentucky Route 151

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 115 (June 15, 2016)

Page Range		39096-39097
FR Document		2016-14129

This notice requests comments on the emergency deletion of Kentucky Route 151 (KY 151) (from US 127 north of Lawrenceburg, KY to Interstate 64 (I-64) Exit 48) from the National Network (NN) based on safety considerations related to numerous truck accidents and route geometric deficiencies. On April 26, 2016, FHWA approved the emergency deletion of KY 151 (from U.S. 127 north of Lawrenceburg to I-64 Exit 48), from the NN based on safety considerations. The deletion is not final and FHWA seeks public comments and information to assist in assessing its impacts.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 115 (Wednesday, June 15, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39096-39097]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-14129]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[Docket No. FHWA-2016-0012]


Emergency Deletion of National Network Route--Kentucky Route 151

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice requests comments on the emergency deletion of 
Kentucky Route 151 (KY 151) (from US 127 north of Lawrenceburg, KY to 
Interstate 64 (I-64) Exit 48) from the National Network (NN) based on 
safety considerations related to numerous truck accidents and route 
geometric deficiencies. On April 26, 2016, FHWA approved the emergency 
deletion of KY 151 (from U.S. 127 north of Lawrenceburg to I-64 Exit 
48), from the NN based on safety considerations. The deletion is not 
final and FHWA seeks public comments and information to assist in 
assessing its impacts.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 15, 2016.

ADDRESSES: To ensure that you do not duplicate your docket submissions, 
please submit them by only one of the following means:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-
366-9329.
     Instructions: You must include the agency name and docket 
number at the beginning of your comments. All comments received will be 
posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about the deletion from 
the NN, contact Crystal Jones, FHWA Office of Freight Management and 
Operations, telephone at 202-366-2976, or via email at 
[email protected]. For legal questions, please contact William 
Winne, FHWA Office of the Chief Counsel, telephone at 202-366-1397, or 
via email at [email protected]. Business hours for the FHWA are 
from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Electronic Access

    You may retrieve a copy of the notice through the Federal 
eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov. The Web site is 
available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. Electronic submission 
and retrieval help and guidelines are available under the help section 
of the Web site. An electronic copy of this document may also be 
downloaded from Office of the Federal Register's Web site at http://www.archives.gov/federal_register and the Government Printing Office's 
Web page at http://www.gpoaccess.gov.

Background

    The NN was authorized by the Surface Transportation Assistance Act 
of 1982 (STAA) (Pub. L. 97-424). Title 23 CFR 658 requires States to 
allow conventional large truck combinations on designated roadways that 
link principal cities and densely developed areas of the States. 
Conventional large truck combinations are tractors with one semitrailer 
of 48 feet in length or one 28-foot semitrailer and one 28-foot 
trailer, both of which can be up to 102 inches wide.
    Even though the geography of interstate commerce has changed 
significantly with the growth of smaller communities into principle 
cities and the emergence of new densely developed areas, the NN has not 
changed significantly in a quarter century. The definition of 
conventional large truck combinations has also not changed, although 
53-feet instead of 48-feet is the prevalent length of a single trailer 
and is allowed in most States.
    The STAA acknowledged that the NN might need to be changed over 
time. Accordingly, FHWA developed regulations on the procedures for 
additions, deletions, and use restrictions. Title 23 CFR 658.11(e) 
provided for emergency deletions of any route from the NN for safety 
considerations. Emergency deletions are not considered final, and must 
be published in the Federal Register for notice and comment.

[[Page 39097]]

    Conventional large truck combinations often use KY 151 as a 
shortcut from I-64 Exit 48 to connect with four-lane divided U.S. 127 
north of Lawrenceburg, KY. A recent series of large truck crashes have 
raised concerns on the appropriateness of its designation as an NN 
route. The predominant type of crash involves trucks veering off the 
roadway where the roadway and shoulders are too narrow for conventional 
combination large trucks. The route has experienced an increasingly 
high rate of single vehicle truck accidents. It has marginal lane 
widths (11 to 12 foot) and shoulder widths (1 to 2 foot) and includes 
sections with horizontal curvature that negatively impact sight 
distances and safe operation of combination truck and bus vehicle 
traffic. The current traffic volume on the nearby alternate route (U.S. 
127) is approximately 18,000 average annual daily traffic (AADT). Based 
on traffic data available, FHWA expects that truck traffic on U.S. 127 
will increase from 1,260 to 1,694 AADT per day, that is, approximately 
434 trucks per day. The percentage of trucks on U.S. 127 would increase 
from about 7 to 9 percent trucks.
    Vehicle collision data gathered from the Kentucky State Police show 
that KY 151 experienced single vehicle accidents involving large trucks 
and buses six times more often than U.S. 127 (the alternate route), 
during the same time period. Further analysis shows that half of the 
accidents on KY 151 are ``Ran Off Roadway (One Vehicle With/Earth 
Embankment/Ditch)'' collisions, while U.S. 127 did not experience a 
single accident of this type during the same reporting period (2010-
2015). The U.S. 127 is a four-lane divided partially controlled access 
highway with 12-foot lanes, 10-foot paved outside shoulders, 4-foot 
paved inside shoulders, and a 40-foot median.

Purpose of the Notice

    The purpose of this notice is to request comments on the deletion 
of KY 151 (from U.S. 127 north of Lawrenceburg to I-64 Exit 48) from 
the NN. To ensure that the NN remains substantially intact, FHWA 
retains the authority to rule upon all requested additions to, and 
deletions from, the NN. This authority includes emergency deletions 
based on safety considerations (23 CFR 658.11(e)). On April 26, 2016, 
FHWA approved the emergency deletion of KY 151 from I-64 to U.S. 127 
(near Lawrenceburg, KY) from the NN based on safety considerations. 
This deletion is not final and FHWA seeks public comments to assist in 
assessing its impacts.
    Comments are requested on the following matters and any others 
relating to the deletion of the route from the NN:
     Will the deletion of the route negatively impact the flow 
of interstate commerce?
     Are there safety issues with the route, particularly as it 
relates to operation of conventional combination large trucks that are 
generally tractors with one semitrailer up to 48 feet in length, or one 
28-foot semitrailer and one 28-foot trailer, and up to 102 inches wide?
     What is the safety record of the route, including current 
or anticipated safety problems?
     Is the route experiencing above normal accident rates and/
or accident severities?
     Is there information available that indicates that the 
accident problems on the route are aggravated by larger conventional 
trucks?
     What are the geometric, structural, or traffic operations 
features that might preclude safe and efficient operation of large 
conventional trucks (e.g., lane widths, sight distance, severity and 
length of grades, horizontal curvature, shoulder width, narrow bridges, 
bridge clearances and load limits, traffic volumes and vehicle mix, 
intersection geometrics, and vulnerability of roadside property)? 
(Pictures or illustrations would be helpful.)
     Are there operational restrictions that might be 
implemented in lieu of deletion of the route from the NN?
     Are there locations on the route that large trucks require 
access to such as terminals and facilities for food, fuel, repairs, and 
rest?
     Is U.S. 127 a reasonable alternate route?
     Are there safety concerns with the use of U.S. 127 as 
alternate route. (Pictures or illustrations would be helpful.)

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 31111-31114; Sections 411 and 412 of the 
Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (Pub. L. 97-424).

    Issued on: June 1, 2016.
Gregory G. Nadeau,
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 2016-14129 Filed 6-14-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P

39096 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 115 / Wednesday, June 15, 2016 / Notices

and the port(s) at which they are confidential and the name(s) of an FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
interested in filing the appropriate PGA approved participant(s) may be questions about the deletion from the
Message Set and DIS information. disclosed by CBP. NN, contact Crystal Jones, FHWA Office
Requests to participate in this test will Dated: June 9, 2016. of Freight Management and Operations,
be accepted throughout the duration of William Gibbons-Fly, telephone at 202–366–2976, or via email
the test without limitation as to number at Crystal.Jones@dot.gov. For legal
Director, Office of Marine Conservation,
of participants. To be eligible for this Bureau of Oceans and International questions, please contact William
pilot, the applicant must be a self-filing Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Winne, FHWA Office of the Chief
importer who has the ability to file ACE Department of State. Counsel, telephone at 202–366–1397, or
Entry Summaries certified for cargo [FR Doc. 2016–14184 Filed 6–14–16; 8:45 am] via email at William.Winne@dot.gov.
release and ACE cargo release or a BILLING CODE 4710–09–P
Business hours for the FHWA are from
broker who has the ability to file ACE 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., Monday
Entry Summaries certified for cargo through Friday, except Federal holidays.
release and ACE cargo release; and the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
applicant files entries for shrimp or
shrimp products. All PGA Message Set Electronic Access
Federal Highway Administration
participants are required to use a You may retrieve a copy of the notice
software program that has completed [Docket No. FHWA–2016–0012] through the Federal eRulemaking portal
ACE certification testing for the PGA at http://www.regulations.gov. The Web
Emergency Deletion of National site is available 24 hours each day, 365
Message Set. The PGA Message Set data
Network Route—Kentucky Route 151 days each year. Electronic submission
and DIS submissions are not limited by
entry type except by the ACE Mandatory AGENCY: Federal Highway and retrieval help and guidelines are
Use Dates which can be found at https:// Administration (FHWA), Department of available under the help section of the
www.cbp.gov/trade/automated/ace- Transportation (DOT). Web site. An electronic copy of this
mandatory-use-dates. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. document may also be downloaded
from Office of the Federal Register’s
VI. Anticipated Process Changes SUMMARY: This notice requests Web site at http://www.archives.gov/
The current paper process for the DS– comments on the emergency deletion of federal_register and the Government
2031 will eventually be replaced by the Kentucky Route 151 (KY 151) (from US Printing Office’s Web page at http://
submittal of data and scanned document 127 north of Lawrenceburg, KY to www.gpoaccess.gov.
images through a combination of the Interstate 64 (I–64) Exit 48) from the
PGA Message Set and DIS. This test National Network (NN) based on safety Background
covers communication and coordination considerations related to numerous The NN was authorized by the
among the agencies and those who file truck accidents and route geometric Surface Transportation Assistance Act
the DS–2031 for the importation of deficiencies. On April 26, 2016, FHWA of 1982 (STAA) (Pub. L. 97–424). Title
shrimp and shrimp products. The approved the emergency deletion of KY 23 CFR 658 requires States to allow
agencies will also be testing new 151 (from U.S. 127 north of conventional large truck combinations
operational processes in real time with Lawrenceburg to I–64 Exit 48), from the on designated roadways that link
actual ACE filings in the production NN based on safety considerations. The principal cities and densely developed
environment that include test messages deletion is not final and FHWA seeks areas of the States. Conventional large
of errors in filing and release status public comments and information to truck combinations are tractors with one
updates to the port and to the filer. assist in assessing its impacts. semitrailer of 48 feet in length or one
Entry data submissions will be subject DATES: Comments must be received on 28-foot semitrailer and one 28-foot
to validation edits and any applicable or before July 15, 2016. trailer, both of which can be up to 102
PGA business rules programmed into ADDRESSES: To ensure that you do not inches wide.
ACE. Once entry data has cleared the duplicate your docket submissions, Even though the geography of
initial stage of validation edits and PGA please submit them by only one of the interstate commerce has changed
business rules, the filer will receive following means: significantly with the growth of smaller
messages, automatically generated or • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to communities into principle cities and
manually initiated by, thus keeping the http://www.regulations.gov and follow the emergence of new densely
filer informed as to the status of the the online instructions for submitting developed areas, the NN has not
shipment from the time of entry data comments. changed significantly in a quarter
submission until the time of release. • Mail: Docket Management Facility, century. The definition of conventional
Once all of the PGAs have concluded U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 large truck combinations has also not
their review of the shipment and have New Jersey Avenue SE., W12–140, changed, although 53-feet instead of 48-
unset any remaining holds, CBP will Washington, DC 20590–0001. feet is the prevalent length of a single
send one U.S. government release • Hand Delivery: West Building trailer and is allowed in most States.
message to the filer to indicate that the Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 The STAA acknowledged that the NN
filer has fulfilled all U.S. government New Jersey Avenue SE., between 9 a.m. might need to be changed over time.
filing requirements for the shipment. and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, Accordingly, FHWA developed
except Federal holidays. The telephone regulations on the procedures for
VII. Confidentiality number is 202–366–9329. additions, deletions, and use
• Instructions: You must include the
ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

All data submitted and entered into restrictions. Title 23 CFR 658.11(e)
ACE is subject to the Trade Secrets Act agency name and docket number at the provided for emergency deletions of any
(18 U.S.C. 1905) and is considered beginning of your comments. All route from the NN for safety
confidential, except to the extent as comments received will be posted considerations. Emergency deletions are
otherwise provided by law. As stated in without change to http:// not considered final, and must be
previous notices, participation in this or www.regulations.gov, including any published in the Federal Register for
any of the previous ACE tests is not personal information provided. notice and comment.

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 115 / Wednesday, June 15, 2016 / Notices 39097

Conventional large truck Comments are requested on the DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
combinations often use KY 151 as a following matters and any others
shortcut from I–64 Exit 48 to connect relating to the deletion of the route from Federal Highway Administration
with four-lane divided U.S. 127 north of the NN:
Lawrenceburg, KY. A recent series of Buy America Waiver Notification
• Will the deletion of the route
large truck crashes have raised concerns AGENCY: Federal Highway
negatively impact the flow of interstate
on the appropriateness of its designation Administration (FHWA), Department of
as an NN route. The predominant type commerce?
Transportation (DOT).
of crash involves trucks veering off the • Are there safety issues with the
ACTION: Notice.
roadway where the roadway and route, particularly as it relates to
shoulders are too narrow for operation of conventional combination SUMMARY: This notice provides
conventional combination large trucks. large trucks that are generally tractors information regarding FHWA’s finding
The route has experienced an with one semitrailer up to 48 feet in that a Buy America waiver is
increasingly high rate of single vehicle length, or one 28-foot semitrailer and appropriate for the re-use of historical
truck accidents. It has marginal lane one 28-foot trailer, and up to 102 inches U.S. 40 steel bridge truss members for
widths (11 to 12 foot) and shoulder wide? construction of a bicycle and pedestrian
widths (1 to 2 foot) and includes bridge over Little Blue River in the City
sections with horizontal curvature that • What is the safety record of the
route, including current or anticipated of Grandview in the State of Missouri.
negatively impact sight distances and DATES: The effective date of the waiver
safe operation of combination truck and safety problems?
is June 16, 2016.
bus vehicle traffic. The current traffic • Is the route experiencing above
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
volume on the nearby alternate route normal accident rates and/or accident
(U.S. 127) is approximately 18,000 questions about this notice, please
severities?
average annual daily traffic (AADT). contact Mr. Gerald Yakowenko, FHWA
• Is there information available that Office of Program Administration, 202–
Based on traffic data available, FHWA
indicates that the accident problems on 366–1562, or via email at
expects that truck traffic on U.S. 127
will increase from 1,260 to 1,694 AADT the route are aggravated by larger gerald.yakowenko@dot.gov. For legal
per day, that is, approximately 434 conventional trucks? questions, please contact Ms. Jennifer
trucks per day. The percentage of trucks • What are the geometric, structural, Mayo, FHWA Office of the Chief
on U.S. 127 would increase from about or traffic operations features that might Counsel, 202–366–1523, or via email at
7 to 9 percent trucks. preclude safe and efficient operation of jennifer.mayo@dot.gov. Office hours for
Vehicle collision data gathered from large conventional trucks (e.g., lane the FHWA are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30
the Kentucky State Police show that KY p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday,
widths, sight distance, severity and
151 experienced single vehicle except Federal holidays.
length of grades, horizontal curvature,
accidents involving large trucks and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
shoulder width, narrow bridges, bridge
buses six times more often than U.S. 127 clearances and load limits, traffic Electronic Access
(the alternate route), during the same volumes and vehicle mix, intersection
time period. Further analysis shows that An electronic copy of this document
geometrics, and vulnerability of may be downloaded from the Federal
half of the accidents on KY 151 are ‘‘Ran
roadside property)? (Pictures or Register’s home page at http://
Off Roadway (One Vehicle With/Earth
Embankment/Ditch)’’ collisions, while illustrations would be helpful.) www.archives.gov and the Government
U.S. 127 did not experience a single • Are there operational restrictions Printing Office’s database at http://
accident of this type during the same that might be implemented in lieu of www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
reporting period (2010–2015). The U.S. deletion of the route from the NN? Background
127 is a four-lane divided partially • Are there locations on the route that
controlled access highway with 12-foot The FHWA’s Buy America policy in
large trucks require access to such as 23 CFR 635.410 requires a domestic
lanes, 10-foot paved outside shoulders,
terminals and facilities for food, fuel, manufacturing process for any steel or
4-foot paved inside shoulders, and a 40-
repairs, and rest? iron products (including protective
foot median.
• Is U.S. 127 a reasonable alternate coatings) that are permanently
Purpose of the Notice route? incorporated in a Federal-aid
The purpose of this notice is to • Are there safety concerns with the construction project. The regulation also
request comments on the deletion of KY use of U.S. 127 as alternate route. provides for a waiver of the Buy
151 (from U.S. 127 north of America requirements when the
(Pictures or illustrations would be
Lawrenceburg to I–64 Exit 48) from the application would be inconsistent with
NN. To ensure that the NN remains helpful.)
the public interest or when satisfactory
substantially intact, FHWA retains the Authority: 49 U.S.C. 31111–31114; quality domestic steel and iron products
authority to rule upon all requested Sections 411 and 412 of the Surface are not sufficiently available. This
additions to, and deletions from, the Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (Pub. notice provides information regarding
NN. This authority includes emergency L. 97–424). FHWA’s finding that a Buy America
deletions based on safety considerations Issued on: June 1, 2016. waiver is appropriate for the re-use of
(23 CFR 658.11(e)). On April 26, 2016, Gregory G. Nadeau,
historical U.S. 40 steel bridge truss
ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

FHWA approved the emergency members in construction of bicycle and
deletion of KY 151 from I–64 to U.S. 127 Administrator, Federal Highway
pedestrian bridge over Little Blue River
Administration.
(near Lawrenceburg, KY) from the NN in Grandview, MO.
based on safety considerations. This [FR Doc. 2016–14129 Filed 6–14–16; 8:45 am] In accordance with Division K,
deletion is not final and FHWA seeks BILLING CODE 4910–22–P section 122 of the Consolidated and
public comments to assist in assessing Further Continuing Appropriations Act
its impacts. of 2015 (Pub. L. 113–235), FHWA

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Document Created: 2016-06-15 02:21:25
Document Modified: 2016-06-15 02:21:25

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice; request for comments.
Dates		Comments must be received on or before July 15, 2016.
Contact		For questions about the deletion from the NN, contact Crystal Jones, FHWA Office of Freight Management and Operations, telephone at 202-366-2976, or via email at [email protected] For legal questions, please contact William Winne, FHWA Office of the Chief Counsel, telephone at 202-366-1397, or via email at [email protected] Business hours for the FHWA are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FR Citation		81 FR 39096

81 FR 39096 - Emergency Deletion of National Network Route-Kentucky Route 151

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Highway Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 115 (June 15, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration