New Messaging for Chain Law

Beginning today, when chains are required on single-axle trucks, the signs will read:

CMV is a commercial motor vehicle; MM is mile marker.  When all trucks – over 26,000 pounds – are required to chain-up, signs will read:

In addition, in areas where truckers have chained-up along the side of the road when a chain station is nearby, the second message panel will state the distance to the station:

Chain area information only will be displayed on the westbound Interstate 70 signs, from Georgetown to the Eisenhower Tunnel, where chaining up outside the chain area has created safety and parking issues along the shoulders.

“We’re modifying the messages since we have a lot of information to impart to the truckers regarding the chain law but limited space on which to place the message,” says CDOT Region One Traffic Engineer Bernie Guevara.  “Since CMV is a universally-accepted acronym within the trucking community, it’ll make it easier for all truckers – especially ones from out-of state – to understand which trucks are required to chain up when the law is in effect since it varies between single and dual axle-trucks.  In addition, we want the drivers of other vehicles – smaller trucks, SUVs and cars – to know the chain-up requirement is only for large trucks.”

Chain-up information is on the cotrip.org website, by calling 511 or via e-mail by visiting www.coloradodot.info and click on the cell-phone icon in the upper right-hand corner.  The link takes you to a list of items you can subscribe to, including Commercial Vehicles.