News

“When it comes to tractor-trailers hauling America’s freight, bigger isn’t necessarily better. That’s the argument opponents of expanding the allowable length and weight of trucks on U.S. highways made at a recent “fly-in” on Capitol Hill, urging lawmakers to tap the brakes on legislation to put bigger trucks on the road. Supporters of a pilot program to lift the federal limit of 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds say doing more with less — fewer trucks carrying more freight — will…

“The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is one of the more than 20 organizations included in the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks. Earlier this year, OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh testified in front of a House subcommittee regarding truckers’ concerns about making trucks heavier. “Some shippers, large carriers and specific industries continue to claim increasing truck size and weight is good for trucking,” Pugh said. “Make no mistake, these are losing propositions for truckers and highway safety. I want to especially caution new…

“The Kirksville City Council took a significant step towards infrastructure safety and sustainability during their meeting on May 19, 2025, by passing a resolution opposing increases in truck size and weight limits. This decision, driven by concerns over road quality and safety, aligns with the efforts of the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks, an organization dedicated to monitoring and influencing legislation regarding truck regulations.” Read More+…

“KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Companies like FedEx, UPS, and Amazon are pushing for legislation to allow larger commercial trucks on U.S. roads. The key proposals would permit ninety-one foot “Double thirty-three” trailers to drive on two hundred thousand miles of federally designated highways. Some are also advocating for heavier single trailers, adding up to eleven thousand more pounds than the current weight limit. The Kirksville City Council discussed the local impact after the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks asked for support in…

West Sacramento Mayor, Martha Guerrero, writes in opposition to heavier truck proposals in a special to The Sacramento Bee: “Heavier trucks will put the driver, nearby motorists and first responders in danger. Trucks must already travel and make deliveries in high traffic areas. We all see the crashes that happen. There were 13,612 large-truck crashes in California in 2022, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association. From that, 436 people lost their lives, according to the National Highway Transportation…

“The bridge analysis comes just as a major national organization has credited states with achieving a passable grade in ensuring the bridges’ safety but not making significant progress over the last four years. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave a grade of “C” to the overall condition of the nation’s bridges in their just-released report on infrastructure. That compares to a “C” four years earlier. The ASCE says a grade of “C” means the bridge inventory is “mediocre, requires…

“One year after the Francis Scott Key Bridge crumbled into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, killing six people, the American Society of Civil Engineers released its latest report on the state of America’s bridges, roads, rail and other infrastructure. While the news in ASCE’s 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure was mainly good — an overall grade of C for the nation’s vital infrastructure, the highest since 1998 — issues still keep infrastructure experts up at night. “Bridges. We’re just…

When it comes to tractor-trailers hauling America’s freight, bigger isn’t necessarily better. That’s the argument opponents of expanding the allowable length and weight of trucks on U.S. highways made at a recent “fly-in” on Capitol Hill, urging lawmakers to tap the brakes on legislation to put bigger trucks on the road. Read more+…

“Increasing truck weights is simply a bad idea, according to the executive director of the National Association of County Engineers. “If you want to put heavier trucks on the roads and the bridges, you’re asking for some sort of catastrophe at some point,” Kevan Stone told Land Line Now in a recent interview. Stone said that proposals such as increasing the maximum truck weight to 91,000 pounds raise safety concerns. In addition, he said that heavier trucks essentially create an…

“The non-profit Coalition Against Bigger Trucks report examined three scenarios in which Congress relaxes the current federal truck weight limit of 80,000 pounds. One looked at the effect on bridges of allowing trucks up to 88,000 pounds, another up to 91,000 pounds and another up to 97,000 pounds. Should Congress increase the weight limit of trucks to 88,000 pounds, the report concluded that 65,157 bridges will be at risk of severe damage, costing $70.6 billion to replace. If Congress approves…