News

“Minnesota has joined the 49 other states in signing a letter to federal lawmakers, warning them that changes to trucking regulations could have disastrous consequences for states across the country. Roads, bridges, and the infrastructure that supports them are among the biggest expenses states must manage. In Minnesota, many community leaders are sounding the alarm that proposed changes to federal trucking rules could put over 68,000 bridges nationwide at risk, including hundreds in the Land of 10,000 Lakes… Supervisor Jeff Krueger…

“Evanko says he joined more than 2,200 local government leaders to oppose this push because “if they were to increase, that will do a disservice to our local roads.” “Basically, I think of the safety of people and the beating up of roads and everything else over the years … it’s a safety matter, I think,” he said. “It could cost the borough, the state and everyone else more to maintain those roads. It would be really bad for everyone.”…

“WASHINGTON—In a rerun of a 40-year-old battle over safety on the nation’s roads, the National Consumers League, the Teamsters, and their allies are again trying to throttle the truck companies’ push for longer and heavier trucks traversing U.S. highways. As it has since 1983, the battle is being waged on Capitol Hill, but the outcome is vital to everyone in the U.S. After all, everyone uses the roads, whether they’re drivers, passengers, truckers, pedestrians, or cyclists. On July 22, it…

“WXIN/WTTV – A proposal in Congress to increase the weight limits on big trucks is prompting debate and opposition from consumer groups who cite safety concerns. H.R. 3372 would increase the weight limit on six-axle trucks on the nation’s interstates from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds. Proponents argue the change would mean reduced operating costs for trucking companies, fewer trucks on the roads burning less fuel and faster delivery routes.”  Watch & Read+…

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“Rogers County appealed to the federal government Monday to cap civil rights lawsuit payouts and restrict truck weight on county roads. District 3 Commissioner Ron Burrows brought a pair of resolutions on these topics to Monday’s meeting. He and District 1 Commissioner Dan DeLozier signed off on them; Chairman and District 2 Commissioner Steve Hendrix was absent. Burrows is the National Association of Counties’ state representative for Oklahoma. The commissioner said NACo, which lobbies the federal government on counties’ behalf,…

“Nearly 40 percent of major roads in America are in bad shape, costing the average driver $1,400 every year in repairs and lost time. The U.S. already has some of the most dangerous roads in the developed world. That’s why Americans must stand united against destructive legislative proposals to introduce massive freight trucks that are larger and heavier than our infrastructure can support. By maintaining current truck size limits, Congress can keep occupants, pedestrians and taxpayers in the driver’s seat.”…

“As president of the Kansas County Highway Association, I am concerned by continued efforts in the nation’s capital that would make Kansas highways more dangerous for motorists while damaging infrastructure, especially bridges. Special interest groups in Washington, D.C. are seeking to increase semi-truck size and maximum weights on our nation’s highways. They are floating various proposals that would raise the limit on truck weights from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds and beyond.” Read More+…

“A group of 20 industry organizations, including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, opposes increasing the weight limit. In a House subcommittee hearing on the proposed change, OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh warned lawmakers off the idea. “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.” Read More+…