The House Transportation Committee approved an amendment stripping the proposal from $260 billion highway legislation and ordering a new study of the issue instead.
Dozens of trade associations had supported the change, which was opposed by powerful railroads.
Backed by House Republicans, the bill sought to grant all states authority to raise truck-weight limits for interstate travel from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds.
Rigs of that weight are already permitted in Maine and Vermont for hauling logs, but they cannot ply long distances. Heavier trucks are also allowed by permit in other states to ship critical materials.
Proponents said the plan would have allowed companies to carry more goods with fewer vehicles, saving fuel and reducing costs. They said heavier weights would have been safely displaced by an extra axle.
But travel, safety and consumer groups balked on grounds that heavier trucks would pose new safety risks to motorists and would increase wear on roads and bridges.
Freight railroads also fiercely lobbied against the proposal that was one of the most contentious issues in the 5-year transportation blueprint funding road and bridge construction and setting out other U.S. transportation priorities. (Reuters)
