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The Harlan County Fiscal Court addressed an issue concerning large trucks traveling KY 160 across Black Mountain during the panel’s regular meeting for April.

Harlan County District 3 Magistrate Paul Browning brought up the matter after Harlan County Judge-Executive Dan Mosley asked if there were any questions following the rural/secondary road program report delivered by representatives of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

“The Transportation Cabinet did a great job paving of KY 160 from the Virginia state line on down Black Mountain,” Browning said. “18-wheelers hauling coal have now started using that as an alternate travel route. They go up full, and they come back across empty.”

Browning pointed out it is not possible for a vehicle of that size to remain in the correct lane when traveling on that particular roadway.

“I can barely do it in a car, much less an 18-wheeler,” Browning said. “Is there any way that we can limit that or make it off limits to 18 wheelers or something to that effect?”

Erik Hubbard of Backroads of Appalachia mentioned there are places in other states and in Kentucky which ban 18 wheelers from using certain roads.

“Last year, thanks to KY 160 we had over 70,000 visitors come to Harlan County,” Hubbard said. “If a coal truck takes out a motorcycle…it’s going to be terrible news and it’s going to take away from the economic momentum that we have worked so hard for in Harlan County and also Virginia.”

Hubbard mentioned he had a close call on KY 160.

“Last month, I had to kiss one of the guardrails in my personal vehicle because of a coal truck,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard explained that while he is pro-coal, the amount of tourist travel on KY 160 mixed with large trucks creates a dangerous situation.

“It (KY 160) is now ranked number 3 on the east coast as a destination for motorcyclists,” Hubbard said. “I would hate to see a catastrophic event happen without at least addressing it.”

Robert Perkins of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet informed the magistrates he will advise the proper officials of the situation.

“We can pass it on,” Perkins said. “That’s something the section office wouldn’t decide on, but we can pass it along and let you know the response.”