Road Restrictions lifted, Truck Driver Hours Of Operation Revised

According to KX News, Governor Doug Burgum signed an executive order to temporarily lift load restrictions on state highways in North Dakota. The order means that trucks will not have to follow the restrictions put in place for spring thaw by the Department of Transportation.

The governor put the order in place during this daily COVID-19 press conference on Tuesday March 24, 2020. North Dakota Department of Transportation Director Bill Panos said his department, “has developed a daily inspection process to ensure our roadways are not damaged as a result of lifting seasonal load restrictions.”

Transportation Director Bill Panos also stated, “Many other statewide programs to protect roads and manage the size and weight of trucks on the highways, remain in effect throughout North Dakota.”

According to agweb, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency due to the COVID-19 and waived hours of service rules for truck drivers transporting emergency food supplies. The waiver came on March 13, 2020 and is designed for food, medical supplies, hand sanitizer, and other items. This is the first time since 1930 that the hours of operation have been suspended. President Trump said the waiver remains in effect until midnight on April 12, 2020 and he will terminate it sooner if he needs to.