Assigned to TAT FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1097
truck routes; designation
Purpose
Requires the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) or a local authority to conduct
a test drive or apply a vehicle template before restricting or prohibiting a vehicle of legal size from
operating on a major arterial street that connects two or more local jurisdictions. Allows a person
to request the review of any route restriction for a vehicle of legal size and requires local
jurisdictions to conform to state-level determinations.
Background
If a highway, by reason of deterioration, rain, snow or other climatic conditions, will be
seriously damaged or destroyed unless the use of vehicles on the highway is prohibited or the
permissible weights of vehicles are reduced, the Director of ADOT (Director) or a local authority
may, by ordinance or resolution for no more than 90 days in a calendar year, prohibit the operation
of vehicles on the highway or impose restrictions on the weight of vehicles operating on the
highway. The Director or local authority must place appropriate signs on the affected portion of
the highway to give notice of the prohibition or restriction (A.R.S. § 28-1106).
A major arterial street is a street or highway used primarily for through traffic in such a
manner that vehicular traffic from intersecting streets and highways is required by law to stop or
yield before entering or crossing the street or highway (A.R.S. § 28-6531).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires, before restricting or prohibiting a vehicle of legal size from operating on a highway
that is a major arterial street and connects two or more local jurisdictions, ADOT or a local
authority to conduct a test drive or apply a vehicle template that shows that the vehicle of legal
size may not safely operate on the highway.
2. Prohibits, if a vehicle of legal size may not safely operate on a major arterial street, the Director
or local authority from granting exceptions to a restriction for categories or types or groups of
routes.
3. Allows a person to submit a written request to the Director to review any route restrictions for
a vehicle of legal size.
4. Requires the Director to act on a review request within 90 days of receipt. FACT SHEET
S.B. 1097
Page 2
5. Prohibits local jurisdictions from restricting a major arterial street that is determined to be safe
by the Director.
6. Requires, within 90 days of the effective date of this legislation, a local authority to repeal or
amend any ordinance that passed before the effective date and conflicts with the route
restriction requirements.
7. Deems, as invalid, any ordinance that is not brought into compliance within the designated
timeframe.
8. Specifies that a major arterial street includes:
a) a principal arterial street;
b) an arterial street, if a local authority does not distinguish between major and minor arterial
streets;
c) any arterial street that has access to a freeway, controlled access highway or the national
highway system;
d) any arterial street that has a bridge along its route; and
e) any arterial street that is designated as a major arterial street in adjoining legislation, as
prescribed.
9. Defines a vehicle of legal size as a vehicle that complies with statutory limitations on vehicle
width, height and length, as prescribed.
10. Makes conforming changes.
11. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 26, 2023
KJA/CB/sr