(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the commission may not permanently reduce the vehicle-carrying capacity of an identified freight route when altering, relocating, changing or realigning a state highway unless safety or access considerations require the reduction.
(3) A local government, as defined in ORS 174.116, may apply to the commission for an exemption from the prohibition in subsection (2) of this section. The commission shall grant the exemption if it finds that the exemption is in the best interest of the state and that freight movement is not unreasonably impeded by the exemption. [Amended by 1977 c.312 §2; 2003 c.618 §38]