A vehicle weight limit of 13 tons for through traffic on certain Warren County roads won approval from the Board of County Commissioners tonight.

The resolution restricts truck traffic on sections of Route 519 in Hope, White, Harmony and Lopatcong townships, and Route 521 in Blairstown and Hope, only allowing vehicles heavier than 13 tons if they are engaged in local deliveries or transporting for local businesses. These restrictions have been reviewed or are in the process of review by the NJ Department of Transportation and can go into effect immediately.

The resolution also calls for 13-ton weight restrictions on a number of other roads, pending NJDOT review and approval.

“Tonight’s truck traffic resolution is the latest piece in the puzzle of working to control the increased traffic coming in and out of the ports of New Jersey, and going to and from the many warehouses that are popping up all over, mostly in Pennsylvania and areas outside of Warren County,” Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla said. “This resolution will also help us deal with any heavy weighted vehicles that are looking to use our one-lane county roads as an alternative to the state and federal highways they should be using,” she added.

“This keeps with our commitment to keep all Warren County roads safe for our traveling public,” commented Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski. “The next steps are for the DOT to approve these recommendations so we can post signs,” Sarnoski noted, adding, “Enforcement by local police will be critical to insuring these restrictions are followed.”

“Since taking office in 2019, there has been no topic more front and center to me than the proliferation of warehouses in our region,” Commissioner James R. Kern III said, pointing out that Warren County’s proximity to major ports and unique location crossed by Interstate Routes 78 and 80 make the area attractive to warehouse development and the trucks they bring.

Warren County staff and state agencies have been working diligently in recent years to address the impact these developments can have on county infrastructure, Kern said. “While the County has never taken a position on individual projects, we have long advocated that warehouses should be zoned and built near state and federal highways,” Kern said.

In 2020, Warren County and The New Jersey Highlands Council published a study showing the impacts of a build-out scenario of 15 properties zoned for industrial use in Warren County. “The potential long-term impacts of such development in the County would be substantial, particularly along the County Route 519 corridor,” Kern noted, adding, “The increase in automobile and truck traffic volumes that would be anticipated if all 15 light industrial sites studied were developed would be detrimental and levels of service would deteriorate to unacceptable conditions.”

Kern continued, “Today’s resolution placing a weight restriction on Route 519 will maintain Warren County infrastructure for years to come. I am especially grateful to both State Senator Doug Steinhardt and the leadership of the NJDOT, including the Commissioner, for their support and advocacy throughout this process.”

“I want to thank Jim and Jason for working with me to craft a practical resolution that we can present to the NJDOT,” Ciesla said, referring to her colleagues on the Board of County Commissioners. She also thanked officials from Hope Township, who have long advocated for keeping heavy trucks from cutting through the historic Hope village, for their assistance on the issue.

“This resolution, combined with the restrictions on 102-inch-wide trucks and our approved truck route will provide our law-enforcement partners the tools necessary to keep our weight-restricted roads safe,” Ciesla said. “This is not the end, however, as we will continue to work with our municipalities and the NJDOT to find solutions to our traffic issues. Keeping Warren County safe is our first priority and we will do whatever we can to do so,” she added.

In addition to the restrictions on Route 519 that the County will put into effect immediately, the weight restrictions needing NJDOT review and approval would control truck traffic on sections of County Route 519 in Pohatcong Township, and on County Route 517 from the intersection with Route 46 in Hackettstown north through Allamuchy Township to the Sussex County border.

Sarnoski noted there are “three E’s” when it comes to the impacts of trucks on area roads: engineering, education and enforcement. The County has provided the engineering to look for solutions and the education comes next, putting up signs to mark the restrictions, he said, while enforcement will be up to local police departments.

Hope Township Mayor Timothy McDonough thanked the commissioners, saying the restrictions came about because of their efforts, along with Sen. Steinhardt and NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “The three of you can take real pride in improving the quality of life in Hope Township, helping to save our historic buildings and save lives,” McDonough said.