Truck weight, size limit increase amended in House transportation bill

Washington – Safety concerns about a provision in a proposed House transportation spending bill that would have increased weight and size limits for trucks on interstates led the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to amend the provision by first requiring a three-year study.

The provision would have allowed states to raise the weight limit for six-axle trucks to 97,000 pounds from the current 80,000 pounds and would have increased length limits for certain trucks. At press time, the bill still contained language that would allow certain states to allow trucks weighting up to 126,000 pounds on interstate segments less than 25 miles long.

The new study requirement will evaluate the effect of the potential increases on roadway safety and costs to bridges and roadways.

Trucking companies and associations supporting the original provisions argued that the increases would increase trucking productivity and reduce consumer costs.

At press time, the bill was in committee in the House and would next go to conference in the Senate.