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Mar 3, 2009 1:17 PM

A decision on hazardous materials routing in Boston MA has been delayed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), according to a notice published in the Federal Register March 3.

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has challenged the City of Boston's hazmat routing restrictions and appealed to FMCSA to determine if the Boston action preempts federal law.

ATA pointed out in its appeal that motor carriers are being cited for not complying to what ATA argues are "improperly enacted hazardous materials routing designations."

FMCSA said in the March notice that the agency is conducting fact-finding and legal analysis in response to the consolidated requests of ATA and the Massachusetts Department of Highways, and is delaying issuance of its determination in order to allow time for appropriate consideration of the issues raised by the applications.

FMCSA estimated a decision would be published in approximately 120 days.