A national coalition of public safety and local government organizations is urging Vermont officials to oppose a federal proposal that would increase the maximum weight of trucks traveling on interstate highways from 80,000 to 91,000 pounds, warning of increased traffic accidents and hundreds of millions of dollars in potential bridge replacement costs. This story was first reported via selectboard video on FYIVT.com. Read More+…
Daily Journal (IN) | Brian Baird: Bigger Trucks would put Hoosier communities at risk
A committee in the U.S. House of Representative earlier this year advanced the BUILDAmerica 250 Act, that will shape federal infrastructure policy for years to come. Buriedinside that bill is a provision everyone in Indiana should be up in arms about: lawmakersadopted a measure to create a pilot program allowing states raise truck weights from80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds. The huge and costly problem with the measure is that it would tear up state roads andbridges, costing taxpayers millions of…
Greensburg Daily News (IN) | COMMENTARY: Heavier trucks mean more dangerous highways in Indiana
As a member of the National Sheriffs’ Association, I stand behind theassociation’s long-standing resolution against any increase in truck size orweight, and the safety data makes it clear bigger trucks are a threat. The U.S.Department of Transportation’s own 2016 truck size and weight study tested sixaxle,91,000-pound trucks against the standard 80,000-pound trucks foundaround the country. It found a 47% higher crash rate among the heavier trucks inlimited state testing. Read More+…
The Mountaineer (NC) | Canton’s roads can’t take bigger rigs
“The town of Canton unanimously said no to a proposal from the Trump administration to increase the weight limit on commercial trucks. The federal proposal would open the door for states to allow heavier trucks on roadways. As proposed, the change would raise the weight limit on commercial trucks from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds. Although Canton isn’t a main route for commercial trucks traveling across Haywood County, accidents and delays on Interstate 40 can force traffic to reroute down…
The Trucker | The Build America 250 Act: Growing momentum for higher truck weight limits
“The amendment that drew the most attention was Rep. Dusty Johnson’s (R-SD) proposal to establish a pilot program for 91,000-pound, six-axle trucks. The amendment passed and would permit an unlimited number of states to raise interstate truck weight limits from the current federal standard of 91,000 pounds on six axles to 91,000 pounds on six axles for up to 10 years. Although supporters characterize the proposal as a “pilot program,” many in the trucking industry view it as a major…
MSN.com | Congress weighs heavier truck limits as safety and road damage concerns grow
“Congress is considering a proposal that would allow participating states to permit six-axle commercial trucks weighing up to 91,000 pounds on federal Interstates under a voluntary 10-year pilot program included in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s version of H.R. 8870, the BUILD America 250 Act. The committee approved the five-year surface transportation bill in May 2026, but the measure has not become law. Shipping interests supporting higher truck weights argue that the change could allow more freight to move…
The Salt Lake Tribune | Voices: Utah needs better roads, not heavier trucks
“Anyone who drives I-15 through Utah County at rush hour can see that our infrastructure is straining to keep up with growth. Families lose time in traffic, businesses need dependable routes to move goods and farmers need dependable transportation networks to get their products to market. This fall, the federal programs that fund our highways are set to expire, and the U.S. Senate now has a chance to pass a long-term bill that fixes roads and protects taxpayers, but only…
Tampa Bay Times (Yahoo News) | Congress is considering bigger trucks. It’s a bad idea for Florida | Column
“Those of us who travel around our heavily populated state know our freeways and roads better than bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. Florida already has a big problem maintaining its bridges without the added damage from bigger trucks….According to the Federal Highway Administration, of the 13,070 bridges in Florida, 5,365 currently are in fair/poor condition, which is 41% of bridges statewide. Expect that to worsen should Congress approve this proposal.” Read More+…
Potomac Local News | WEIGHTY PROBLEM: Region tells feds to keep their heavier trucks off local roads
“The Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Committee approved Resolution 707, opposing federal amendments that would increase truck size and weight limits and urging Congress to protect local roads, bridges, and public safety. The motion was made by Spotsylvania County Supervisor Lori Hayes and seconded by Stafford County Supervisor Deuntay T. Diggs. It carried with one abstention…. The resolution addresses the financial and safety consequences for local infrastructure. Heavier trucks would increase wear on roads and bridges without dedicated federal…
WATCH | Cleveland 5 – ABC | Commercial trucks could get heavier with BUILD America 250 Act
“Even though we’re talking about federal interstates, we all know those trucks are going to come off the interstates and come into our communities,” Emily Mills, director of advocacy with the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks, said. “They need to rest, recover, and drop off their goods and refuel. They’re not loading and unloading on the side of the roads. They’re using our local road features, so it’s disingenuous to suggest that local roads and localities aren’t on the line for…