'Maine and many other states allow trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds to operate on state roads, yet they are prevented by an outdated federal law from utilizing those same weight standards on interstate highways,' said CTP Executive Director John Runyan. 'Higher productivity trucks are often forced to use secondary roads, even though interstates are engineered for heavy traffic. The new Maine DOT analysis proves that its bridge network can safely handle heavier loads, and builds the case for giving state governments the ability to control weight limits on both their state and interstate road networks.'
'The Safe and Efficient Transportation Act is the vehicle to help Maine and other states harmonize state and federal weight limits under very careful conditions,' continued Runyan. 'SETA would help states remedy a critical efficiency issue, boost economic productivity and make roads safer. CTP urges Congress to review the Maine DOT engineering analysis and include the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act in the Highway Reauthorization bill.'