WASHINGTON (March 10, 2016)—Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today accepted an award from the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT) for his work to defeat an amendment to the Highway Bill that would have dramatically increased the weight limit on trucks. Barletta was instrumental in killing the proposal from Rep. Reid Ribble (WI-8) that would have increased the weight limit by 14 percent, from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds. He received the recognition at a ceremony in Harrisburg hosted by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association.
“I have four daughters and three grandchildren – I don’t like the thought of them being out on the roads with heavier and heavier trucks driving around,” Barletta said. “Local roads were not built to handle the increased weight, and heavier trucks would pose a greater danger to their drivers and other motorists. Additionally, trucks don’t just stay on the interstates – they use the local roads to make local deliveries, and that can cause safety concerns and severe road and bridge damage.”