Whip Kazarian’s bill banning large commercial trucks from Pleasant Street passes House

STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives passed House Majority Whip Katherine S. Kazarian’s (D-Dist. 63, East Providence, Pawtucket) bill (2023-H 5206) that would ban heavy commercial trucks from traveling on Pleasant Street in Rumford.

“It was only less than a year ago when the Hunts Mill Bridge was closed due to structural deficiencies and now that the bridge has been fixed, we must protect the taxpayers’ investment.  Combine this fact with the obvious concerns of excessive noise, traffic and speeding through a residential neighborhood and it becomes clear that large commercial trucks should not be on this stretch of road,” said Whip Kazarian.

The act would prohibit commercial motor trucks, with a gross weight rating of 26,001 lbs. or more, from traveling on Pleasant Street / Route 114A in East Providence from between Pawtucket Avenue and the Massachusetts state line.

“There are no businesses on this stretch of roadway, only homes, residents and children who wait by the side of the road at their school bus stops every morning.  Heavy industrial trucks quickly passing through the area pose a significant safety risk to these kids while also negatively contributing to the quality of life of this neighborhood. It is for these clear reasons that I introduced this bill,” concluded Whip Kazarian.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.