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“INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO WAIVE FEDERAL WEIGHT LIMITS ON THE MAINE INTERSTATE” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1093 on June 13, 2001.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO WAIVE FEDERAL WEIGHT LIMITS ON THE MAINE
INTERSTATE
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HON. JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI
of maine
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, June 13, 2001
Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation to exempt commercial vehicles traveling on the Maine Interstate from federal weight limits. Maine finds itself in a rather unique and dangerous situation. Canada and states surrounding Maine have much higher weight limits for trucks than those on Maine's Interstate. As a result, when they enter Maine, these heavy trucks are diverted onto smaller state and local roads. This diversion has caused two major problems.
First, the diversion of these trucks onto state and local roads is destroying these roads, Most are not built to handle the wear and tear caused by heavy trucks which would not normally be driven on secondary roads. As a result, the state and local governments are forced to use scarce funds to meet high repair and maintenance costs. In a geographically large state where every transportation dollar counts, such expenditures drain funds away from other high priority projects. By contrast, the Interstate is designed to absorb the wear and tear caused by heavy vehicles, and I believe that is where they should be driving.
Second, having these trucks on secondary roads causes an extreme safety hazard. Heavy vehicles, such as tanker trucks carrying hazardous material and fuel oil, simply should not be traveling through communities with small roads, narrow intersections and difficult rotaries. Regrettably, there have been many accidents--some fatal--
between large trucks and private vehicles on these smaller roads. The roadways are not designed to accommodate heavy trucks, whereas the Interstate system clearly is. I believe that getting these trucks back on the Interstate where they belong will enhance safety.
My bill will institute a 3-year pilot program during which time the federal weight limits will not apply to Maine's Interstate. During this waiver period, traffic data will be collected and reviewed by a Safety Committee headed by the Maine Department of Transportation. If the Committee finds that the waiver in fact has not negatively impacted safety, then the waiver will become permanent.
This important bill represents a good first step in solving this very real and very dangerous problem for Maine's people and Maine's roads.
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