File Under: Why Gov't doesn't really care about you.

Press Release from Congressman Mike Michaud of Maine, the title of this post doesn't actually apply to him in this case.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: May 10, 2007 Contact: Monica Castellanos at 207-782-3704

Coming Together on Truck Weights: Improving Safety in Maine
By Representative Mike Michaud
Most Mainers know about an ongoing problem in our state with trucks. We have grown up seeing them drive through our towns, and wondering why they can't just go on the highway. The answer, as many Mainers have also come to know, is federal regulation.
Under current law, all of Maine's Interstate, except the Maine Turnpike and I-95 in Kittery, is subject to the federal truck weight limit of 80,000 pounds. But Maine's state road limit is 100,000 pounds - and realistically it can't be lowered due to the needs of Maine's major industries, like forest products and agriculture. After more than 28 years as a mill worker, I know how crucial it is to be able to move these heavy loads in our state.
Because of this mismatch between the state and federal limits, heavier trucks must divert from Interstate highways onto primary and secondary roads that pass through a number of Maine's communities, past our schools, businesses, and homes. This has negative impacts on safety, the economy, the environment, and the entire transportation system.
Mainers understand the need for the state limits, and we also don't blame the trucks or the drivers themselves - we are happy to have good jobs from our Maine industries staying here in Maine, and we know that the truckers themselves want to be on the highway more than anyone. We are all together on this one. And we all want to see a change. The solution would be to change the federal limit on the Interstate.
Safety is, of course, the very top concern. The safety risks with the current rules were made all too apparent once again recently by the tragic accident in Hampden that killed a 17 year-old driver. The weight rule is forcing trucks off the Interstate and onto our state and local roads. It is clear that it would be safer for everyone if these trucks were on the highway.
For years, I've been working with the entire congressional delegation to exempt Maine from the federal truck weight limit. An exemption from the federal weight limit is supported by every municipality in Maine, chambers of commerce, safety groups, and the entire Maine delegation. It would greatly improve safety. The state study on this issue showed that the crash-rate for trucks was seven to ten times higher on Maine's non-Interstate highways than on the Maine Turnpike, which is exempt from federal weight limits. So moving traffic to a 100,000 pound limit highway would be a lot safer.
The change would also help the economy and lower costs. Allowing 6 axle 100,000 pound trucks on the Interstate would increase payloads by up to 44 percent over 5 axle 80,000 pound trucks, reducing the number of trucks on the road. It would also cut the amount of fuel required by approximately 6 percent. That's good for the environment. And it would save the state over a million dollars a year in repaving and bridge maintenance costs.
The entire Congressional delegation has been working together in total unity to try to change the weight limit for our Interstate. Congressman Allen and I recently reintroduced our legislation that would allow Maine to increase the weight limits for trucks on interstate highways by granting a three-year waiver of federal rules. If no significant adverse safety effects were demonstrated, the waiver would become permanent. Maine's Senators have also introduced a companion in the Senate.
Unfortunately, we have met with tremendous resistance over the years in both the House and Senate from members of both parties. Some are concerned that a change in Maine would lead to other states seeking increases nationwide, which many oppose. Others fear that a change for Maine would send heavier trucks down the East Coast into other states, impacting their roads. Still others simply don't understand the issues involved.
So far, this opposition has been an unbreakable barrier. But we are slowly making progress in educating the Congress and laying these concerns to rest. I will continue to work in coordination with the entire delegation to secure an exemption for Maine from the truck weight rule so that we can improve safety on state's roads.