In The News

"Weight-Limits Increase Urged For Maine I-95"
Transport Topics - June 25, 2001

Trucks driving on Interstate 95 in Maine would be exempt from federal weight limits for three years under a bill introduced in Congress.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. John Baldacci (D - Maine), would do away with the 80,000-pound weight limit for trucks on that highway for a three-year period. During that time, a safety committee headed by the Maine Department of Transportation would collect data on the impact of the waiver on road safety, wit Ii a special emphasis on crash rates involving heavy trucks. At the end of the program, the waiver would be made permanent unless the committee finds a negative impact on safety.

By so doing, Baldacci said when he introduced the measure, Congress would alleviate Potential hazards when trucks from neighboring areas which allow higher weight limits are diverted from I-95 to smaller roads.

"This important bill represents a good first step in solving this very real and very dangerous problem for Maine's people and Maine's roads," he said.

Baldacci's measure, although it applies only to Maine, resembles several attempts, unsuccessful so far, that have been made to raise the 80,000-pound weight limit on the interstate System. It also revisits am ongoing debate between trucking interests and safety groups over how much weight roads and bridges can safely handle.

Trucking interests in Maine believe waiving the weight limit would increase productivity and thus boost the economy. They also note the higher weight limits of some of Maine's neighbors. Truckers driving in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Canada Operate with higher limits, and higher limits are allowed on portions of the Maine Turnpike as well.

"We feel that with the economy being what it is, this should be taken into consideration," said Dale Hannington, president of the Maine Motor Transport Association. "We feel this will be better for both shippers and truckers. And vehicles would be taken out of more congested areas, so it would help highway safety…We thank the congressman for putting this forward, arid we will do all we can to help get it passed."

Baldacci also emphasized this point, arguing that trucks diverted to secondary roads cause significant damage that strain the limited resources of state local governments. He also said routing heavy trucks trough small roads with narrow intersections, many going through residential areas, increases the danger of serious accidents.

"The roadways are not designed to accommodate heavy trucks, whereas tine Interstate system clearly is," Baldacci said. "I believe that getting these trucks back on tine Interstate where they belong will enhance safety."

But some remain unconvinced that trucks over 80,000 pounds belong on an Interstate highway, or anywhere else.

"It shifts the safety focus to Interstate highways, but they're taking the risk from one place and putting it somewhere else," said Steve Izer, a founding member of Parents Against Tired Truckers, a Maine-based organization. "It increases weight limits on Interstates, which is against the law and should stay that way."

Weight limits on the National highway Network cant be set or changed only by Congress. But several states occasionally allow weight waivers for certain types of trucks on roads within their jurisdiction.

Under Baldacci's measure, the safety committee collecting and assessing traffic data would come from several interest groups. Included would be the Maine commissioner of transportation or a representative, as well as representatives of state agencies, safety organizations, municipalities and the trucking industry.

By Russell Woolard
Transport Topics Staff Reporter