The Virginia Department of Transportation has recently made several changes regarding truck traffic on Route 17 because of requests from local citizens and public officials.

The changes were made in Fauquier County, Va., between I-66 at Delaplane and Route 50 at Paris, and on Route 50 between Paris and Route 340 in Clarke County, Va.
In September, Route 17 between I-66 and Route 50 between Route 17 and I-81 was removed from the state’s designated system of routes for STAA-authorized vehicles, meaning rigs longer than 65 feet and twin trailer combinations are prohibited from using these routes. Warning signs are now in place, and officials will be issuing citations, which could result in the assessment of 3 points on a driver's record.
The new designated alternate routes for STAA-authorized vehicles are I-66 and
I-81; or I-66, Route 522, Route 277 and I-81; or I-66, Route 522 and Route 340.
In addition, the speed limit on Route 17 between I-66 and Route 50 has been reduced from 55 to 45 mph and the speed limit on the east and westbound lanes of Route 50 as it approaches the Route 17 intersection at Paris will be lowered from 55 to 45 mph.
The Virginia State Police are also increasing motor carrier safety inspections of trucks on Routes 17 and 50.
The VDOT has also announced that legislation will be introduced in the 2001 Virginia General Assembly to ban all through trucks from this portion of Route 17.