A new engineering analysis from the Maine Dept. of Transportation supports the case for federal truck weight legislation (the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act, H.R. 763, S. 747) which would grant states the ability to raise interstate weight limits for six-axle trucks, according to the Coalition for Transportation Productivity (CTP). CTP is a group of more than 180 shippers and allied associations dedicated to responsibly increasing federal vehicle weight limits on interstate highways.
CTP is encouraging members of Congress to review why Maine and other states allow trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds to operate on their roads, yet they are prevented by federal law from utilizing those same weight standards on interstate highways.
“Higher productivity trucks are often forced to use secondary roads, even though interstates are engineered for heavy traffic,” said CTP executive director John Runyan. “The new Maine DOT analysis proves that its bridge network can safely handle heavier loads, and builds the case for giving state governments the ability to control weight limits on both their state and interstate road networks.”
“The Safe and Efficient Transportation Act is the vehicle to help Maine and other states harmonize state and federal weight limits under very careful conditions,” continued Runyan. “SETA would help states remedy a critical efficiency issue, boost economic productivity and make roads safer. CTP urges Congress to review the Maine DOT engineering analysis and include the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act in the Highway Reauthorization bill.”
