Heller: A 91,000-lb. safety gamble – Heavier-weight restriction pilot programs threaten fleet cost structures. “The proposal to allow a 91,000-lb., six-axle truck pilot program is a step in the wrong direction for America’s roadways. While supporters frame it as a productivity gain for freight movement, the reality is far less attractive: greater risks to public safety, accelerated damage to infrastructure already in poor condition, and a troubling shift of costs onto an industry that can ill afford them.” Read More+…
EV Smarts | Congress moves closer to allowing heavier trucks on U.S. highways
“One proposal moving through Congress would allow states to participate in a 10-year program permitting 6-axle tractor-trailers weighing up to 91,000 pounds on interstate highways, up from the current federal limit of 80,000 pounds. Supporters describe the measure as a pilot program intended to improve freight efficiency by allowing trucks to haul larger loads in fewer trips. The proposal has already advanced through a key House committee and could receive further consideration as Congress continues work on surface transportation reauthorization….…
Washington Examiner | Congress is about to make America’s roads far more dangerous
“Most Americans have no idea that Congress is a step closer to making a dangerous decision: allowing bigger, heavier tractor-trailers onto the roads they use every day. The proposal sounds technical, which is exactly why it may escape public notice. But buried in the highway bill in Congress is a plan to let states raise the federal truck-weight limit on interstate highways from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds. That is an extra 5.5 tons per truck.” Read More+…
WATCH – Cleveland 19 (CBS) | Bill to increase semi-truck weight limit raises safety and infrastructure concerns
“A proposed federal bill could increase the maximum weight for semi-trucks on U.S. roads from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds. The proposal is part of the Build America 250 Act. Former police chief Steven Casstevens, a board member for the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks Law Enforcement, said he opposes the measure on two grounds: public safety and infrastructure damage. “Heavier trucks are harder to stop, they’re harder to control, they’re more punishing in crashes and more damaging to our infrastructure,”…
Pike County Courier (PA) | Opinion: Congress wants bigger trucks on PA Roads, here’s why I’m speaking out
“I have spent most of my adult life in some kind of public service, including many years in law enforcement that included plenty of commercial truck inspections, and more recently fourteen years on the Blooming Grove Township Board of Supervisors. A proposal in Congress would allow states to raise the weight limit for commercial trucks from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds. It now heads to the full House and Senate for a vote. The ”Pilot Project” amendment in the current…
Columbia Missourian | Missouri roads are about to become much less safe
“Over the past year, I have been advocating against attempts in Congress to increase semi-truck size and weights on our nation’s highways. As mayor of Moscow Mills and the wife of a truck driver, I have a unique perspective on this issue. As mayor, it is my duty to ensure that our citizens are protected from any legislation that could pose a threat to public safety and cause more damage to our infrastructure. It is ultimately my responsibility to ensure…
DCJournal (InsideSources) | Americans Don’t Agree on Much – Except Opposition to Bigger Trucks
“Just this past March, polls in select congressional districts in three key swing states, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, found widespread voter opposition to allowing larger trucks. Ryan Munce, president of polling company co/efficient, which conducted the polls, said the results “show an unusually broad consensus among voters. Across party lines, age groups and demographics, voters consistently oppose allowing heavier trucks on America’s highways.” Heavier and longer trucks damage infrastructure, especially bridges. A study last year by the Coalition Against Bigger…
CDLLife.com | Highway bill would allow trucks up to 91,000 pounds on six axles on interstates as part of pilot
“H.R. 8870, also known as the BUILD America 250 Act, passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on May 22 and is now under consideration by the full House. The bill includes an amendment submitted by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson to create a pilot program to allow states to increase truck weights from the current federal standard of 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. The amendment would create a voluntary ten-year pilot program allowing states to increase truck weights…
Cleveland Plain Dealer | Poll shows strong local opposition to federal truck weight hike: Edward R. Kinney
“Voters in Ohio’s 13th congressional district are overwhelmingly against congressional proposals that would allow heavier and more dangerous tractor trailers on state roads. The results come as Congress is debating the issue. Federal law currently limits trucks to 80,000 pounds. But some lawmakers want to raise that to 91,000 pounds and well beyond. A poll of 917 residents of the district found 74% against the increased weight limits and only 13% supporting. Nearly seven in 10 strongly opposed a related…
NACo News| House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee advances bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bill
“On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure voted to advance the BUILD America 250 Act by a bipartisan vote of 61-2 after a fifteen-hour markup. During the markup, members of the committee considered over 100 amendments to the underlying bill, adopting several that have important impacts on counties. These adopted amendments include ones to:…Create a pilot program to allow heavier trucks. This language would allow states to opt in to a pilot program to allow…