U.S. Route 2 Truck (St. Johnsbury, Vermont)

= Route Description =

U.S. Route 2 (Truck) is designated as a bypass around St. Johnsbury, Vermont, USA. Its eastern terminus is at the junction of U.S. Route 2 and VT 18 east of the town of St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Eastbound, it follows Vermont 18 south for .3 miles to Interstate 93, north on I-93 to Interstate 91 north just south of St. Johnsbury.

The truck route then follows I-91 north to its western terminus at the intersection of I-91 and U.S. 2 west of St. Johnsbury.

Truck Weight Limited to 80,000 Pounds

Since the truck route utilizes two interstate highways, the maximum weight limits are the same as the interstates, 80,000 pounds. This poses a problem for local trucks loaded with logs and wood chips, since their weight typically exceeds interstate limits, but is still within the limits for state and federal highways. This creates a situation where the most dangerous and difficult to handle trucks are forced to use the main U.S. 2 route through downtown St. Johnsbury.

Signs at the junctions of Truck Route 2 and U.S. 2 warn commercial drivers that the weight limits are limited to those on the Interstate Highway System.

Downtown St. Johnsbury via U.S. 2

Navigating a tractor trailer through downtown St. Johnsbury via U.S. 2 is tricky at best and dangerous at worst, with several sharp turns on narrow, downtown streets with one very steep grade involved on Eastern Avenue. The truck route was designated in an attempt to alleviate the truck traffic in the congested downtown area, which includes the campus of St. Johnsbury Academy, a private secondary school.

"St. Johnsbury officials still hope to persuade the state to increase weight limits on interstates in an effort to keep 18-wheelers away from St. Johnsbury Academy. Selectmen contend heavy trucks passing through the Academy campus present a danger to students, and a nuisance for drivers." [Reed "The Caledonian-Record"]

Notes

References

*Reed, T. "St. J Officials Hope to Reroute Trucks" "The Caledonian-Record" Vol 170, Number 266 June 16, 2008