kysledneck
New member
Copied this from another sled forum!
I happened to find this on the net and thought it would be interesting reading for those snowmobliers from Michigan.
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Senate passes bill to let snowmobilers on freeways
May 18, 2005, 5:52 PM
LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The state Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a compromise bill that would let snowmobilers ride along expressways under certain conditions.
The bill, which passed 38-0, would allow snowmobilers to ride in a freeway right of way if the state Department of Natural Resources designates it as a snowmobile trail and the state Department of Transportation signs off. The legislation was sent to the House and has the support of Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
The bill was drafted because of problems with a proposed snowmobile trail connecting Gaylord and Cheboygan. The trail has been held up for years, partly because landowners are concerned about noise and safety issues.
One alternative was to have a portion of the trail run along Interstate 75, but state law bars snowmobiles from operating along the interstate.
The bill would let snowmobiles travel along a freeway right of way -- assuming there is state approval -- and require riders to travel single-file except when passing another snowmobile.
Sen. Jason Allen, a Republican from Traverse City who sponsored the legislation, said connecting Gaylord and Cheboygan for snowmobile users could boost winter tourism. The bill contains provisions to make sure safety issues are addressed by the state, he said.
"We are one step closer to providing snowmobile riders across Michigan with more trails to enjoy all winter," Allen said in a written statement.
Granholm vetoed a similar bill last year, saying she wanted a more comprehensive statewide plan.
Snowmobilers now can travel along other road rights of way if they are on a designated trail. But Granholm last year said conflicts among snowmobilers, landowners and motorists have arisen on some of those road.
Allen said a compromise was reached this time to allow the transportation department to bar snowmobile use along roads that aren't interstates as long as it puts in place an alternative route that maintains access to businesses that rely on snowmobile riders.
Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said the governor supports the compromise.
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The snowmobile bill is Senate Bill 161.
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On the Net:
Michigan Legislature: http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Gov. Jennifer Granholm: http://www.michigan.gov/gov
I happened to find this on the net and thought it would be interesting reading for those snowmobliers from Michigan.
************************************************************************
Senate passes bill to let snowmobilers on freeways
May 18, 2005, 5:52 PM
LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The state Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a compromise bill that would let snowmobilers ride along expressways under certain conditions.
The bill, which passed 38-0, would allow snowmobilers to ride in a freeway right of way if the state Department of Natural Resources designates it as a snowmobile trail and the state Department of Transportation signs off. The legislation was sent to the House and has the support of Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
The bill was drafted because of problems with a proposed snowmobile trail connecting Gaylord and Cheboygan. The trail has been held up for years, partly because landowners are concerned about noise and safety issues.
One alternative was to have a portion of the trail run along Interstate 75, but state law bars snowmobiles from operating along the interstate.
The bill would let snowmobiles travel along a freeway right of way -- assuming there is state approval -- and require riders to travel single-file except when passing another snowmobile.
Sen. Jason Allen, a Republican from Traverse City who sponsored the legislation, said connecting Gaylord and Cheboygan for snowmobile users could boost winter tourism. The bill contains provisions to make sure safety issues are addressed by the state, he said.
"We are one step closer to providing snowmobile riders across Michigan with more trails to enjoy all winter," Allen said in a written statement.
Granholm vetoed a similar bill last year, saying she wanted a more comprehensive statewide plan.
Snowmobilers now can travel along other road rights of way if they are on a designated trail. But Granholm last year said conflicts among snowmobilers, landowners and motorists have arisen on some of those road.
Allen said a compromise was reached this time to allow the transportation department to bar snowmobile use along roads that aren't interstates as long as it puts in place an alternative route that maintains access to businesses that rely on snowmobile riders.
Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said the governor supports the compromise.
------
The snowmobile bill is Senate Bill 161.
------
On the Net:
Michigan Legislature: http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Gov. Jennifer Granholm: http://www.michigan.gov/gov
Thanks for the information
Michigan snow
Michigan snow
sxray
Member
hope this goes through, it's long overdue.