CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: September 29, 2012

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

DOT Finds Structural Deficiencies to Some Plow Trucks; 42 Are Pulled from Service

DOT and DAS to Assist Municipalities

      The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced that during this year's standard inspection process, the agency found that 42 trucks used to plow snow that were purchased in 2008 appeared to have signs of premature fatigue to the truck frames.  To be sure about the safety of the vehicles, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) was called on to perform safety inspections of these trucks.  The determination was that the trucks should not be operated in regular service until a fix has been made to the frames.  DOT purchased 45 new trucks   this year and they will be in service for the snow season, so there will be no effect on snow removal. Additionally, the state purchased extended warranties on the vehicles, and plans to aggressively pursue compensation from the manufacturer.

      "Truck safety, especially after the tragedy on Avon Mountain, is an issue where we must be diligent in our oversight," said Governor Malloy.  "Thankfully, staff at DOT and DMV noticed these problems before something happened. Nevertheless, while these problems predate my administration, we will be diligent in recovering all that's owed to the state. And we'll work with all the affected municipalities to make sure that they get the coverage they need in the event that winter comes early again this year."

      In addition to the state-owned vehicles, DOT is working with the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to determine which municipalities may have also purchased faulty vehicles.  DOT and DAS will work with those cities and towns in the event that the state experiences an early snowfall.

      The 42 trucks that have been removed from service until repaired were purchased from Park City Truck Equipment in Bridgeport.  DOT also purchased an extended warranty that is still in effect, which will limit any losses to the state.  Working with the DAS, DOT is working with Park City Truck Equipment to implement a remedy to fix the premature failures to the trucks in question.

      "It is a credit to the actions of the DOT inspection program, the DMV safety inspections, and the procurement strategies of DAS that the premature fatigue was identified, the compromised trucks taken out of service, and an extended warranty purchased that will ensure that the vehicles purchased in 2008 will be repaired satisfactorily and returned to service in the Department's fleet," said DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker.  "DAS and DOT will work with municipalities to expedite actions to repair the fleets for the winter season."