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"Steel Weighs-In On Trucking Regulations"
American Metal Market - April 7, 2000

WASHINGTON - Passage of a House bill giving states the option to adopt a truck weight limit of up to 97,000 pounds compared with 80,000 pounds currently is "vital" to the steel industry and its customers, according to Richard K. Riederer. Chief Executive Officer of Weirton Steel Corp., Weirton. W.Va.. and chairman of the American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington.

Riederer, who was a featured speaker at a Capitol Hill meeting Tuesday to promote the passage of H.R.1667, said that trucks delivered 80 percent of Weirton's outbound tonnage, while rail and barge handled the balance. Highway deliveries accounted for roughly four of every five shipments to all U.S. steel customers.

"Outdated or arbitrary restrictions mandated by the federal government will make it difficult for even the best highway planners to address critical concerns for highway congestion," Riederer told the audience assembled as part of a one-day "fly-in" organized by Americans for Safe and Efficient Transportation. "H.R. 1667 provides a starting point for us to re-evaluate how we might best use our highway resources."

Riederer said that the bill would not compromise high-way safety and offered several benefits, including:

• Reduced highway congestion.
• Longer pavement life.
• Reduced demand for driver time.

Four of every five shipments to U.S. steel customers are by highway.

• Increased investment in, and demand for, the most modern and productive truck equipment.
• Less diesel fuel emissions.
• Reduced demand for diesel fuel.

"Just as we are obligated to find better ways to produce better products, we are obligated to find better ways to deliver those products to our customers," Riederer said. "And H.R.1667 would help us do that."

The legislation would give states the option to increase weight limits on interstate highways only if the single trailer was equipped with a sixth axle to provide for better braking and load handling capabilities. The U.S. Department of Transportation has estimated that allowing six-axle semi-trailers to carry more cargo could reduce vehicle miles traveled and save billions of dollars in shipping costs annually.

Several lawmakers, including bill sponsors Rep. Collin Peterson (D., MN) and Rep. Merrill Cook (R., UY), attended Tuesday's meeting.

By Nancy E. Kelly