While they're home on recess, Maine senators and representatives are touting legislation that would allow heavier trucks on the state's Interstate highways.
In 1956, Congress prohibited vehicles weighing more than 80,000 pounds from using the fledgling Interstate Highway system. All New England states, except Maine, were exempted because they already had interstate highways in place. The result is that trucks that can travel on Interstate highways in surrounding states must divert to back highways like U.S. 1 when they travel through Main. Towns such as Freeport, where the trucks rumble right through their downtown, have been lobbying for some time to get the law changed.
U.S. Sens. Olympia Snow and Susan Collins, and U.S. Reps. John Baldacci and Thomas Allen, introduced a bill, the "Commercial Truck Safety Pilot Program Act," that would set up a three-year pilot program. During those three years, trucks up to 100,000 pounds, the same as are allowed on state highways, would be allowed on the state's Interstate highways. After three years, the state Department of Transportation would evaluate the program, and if all goes well, the waiver would be made permanent.
The bill's supporters say allowing the larger trucks to travel on the Interstates would reduce Maine's highway maintenance costs and improve safety, because the Interstates are built to handle heavier vehicles and fewer of them will be traveling through Maine's downtowns.
In 1956, Congress prohibited vehicles weighing more than 80,000 pounds from using the fledgling Interstate Highway system. All New England states, except Maine, were exempted because they already had interstate highways in place. The result is that trucks that can travel on Interstate highways in surrounding states must divert to back highways like U.S. 1 when they travel through Main. Towns such as Freeport, where the trucks rumble right through their downtown, have been lobbying for some time to get the law changed.
U.S. Sens. Olympia Snow and Susan Collins, and U.S. Reps. John Baldacci and Thomas Allen, introduced a bill, the "Commercial Truck Safety Pilot Program Act," that would set up a three-year pilot program. During those three years, trucks up to 100,000 pounds, the same as are allowed on state highways, would be allowed on the state's Interstate highways. After three years, the state Department of Transportation would evaluate the program, and if all goes well, the waiver would be made permanent.
The bill's supporters say allowing the larger trucks to travel on the Interstates would reduce Maine's highway maintenance costs and improve safety, because the Interstates are built to handle heavier vehicles and fewer of them will be traveling through Maine's downtowns.
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