Michaud Introduces Bipartisan Truck Weight Bill

Press Release

Congressman Mike Michaud, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has introduced the "Safe and Efficient Transportation Act." The bill, which is cosponsored by Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (R-OH), would allow Maine and other states to increase the weight of trucks allowed on their Interstate Systems. The reintroduction of the legislation comes as Congress prepares to consider the first bill to reauthorize surface transportation programs in more than six years.

"Implementation of a federal truck weight exemption for the remainder of Maine's Interstate, and changes like it in other states, would help our struggling economy," said Michaud, who's been pushing for a weight limit change for years. "It would allow our industries in Maine to be more competitive with surrounding states and provinces that have higher weight limits. It would also save on fuel costs and reduce pollution by making sure we are getting the most out of every truck mile travelled. And most importantly, it would promote safety for Mainers by making sure trucks aren't forced to take secondary roads through town centers in their travels up and down our state."

A comprehensive Maine Department of Transportation study has shown that the State of Maine would save between $1.7 and $2.3 million a year in reduced pavement repair if 100,000 pound trucks were allowed to travel on the portions of Maine's Interstate System that currently have an 80,000 pound weight limit.

"In working on this issue for years, I have come to realize that Maine is not the only state affected by truck weight mismatches," said Michaud. "In order to move forward on this issue, I have made this a national bill that would allow affected states like Maine to opt into an increase in truck weights in their states. States that do not want increased weights would not have to have anything forced on them. I recognize that what makes sense for Maine may not make sense for other places."

A study done by Maine trucking company H.O. Bouchard, Inc. illustrates how changing the weight limit on Maine's Interstate could drastically improve efficiency and safety. It found that a truck travelling 120.8 miles from Hampden to Houlton from 6:40 AM to 9:35 AM on Route 2 shifted 192 times, encountered 9 school crossings, 4 hospitals, 30 street lights, 86 crosswalks, applied brakes 68 times, met 644 vehicles, crossed 4 railroad tracks, and drove by 10 school buses. By contrast, a truck travelling that same time of day on Interstate 95, drove 122.1 miles, didn't use their brakes, only shifted 3 times and encountered no schools, hospitals, street lights, crosswalks, vehicles, railroad tracks or school buses.

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