The Federal Highway Administration announced it is extending the comment period on the truck size and weight study.
The original comment period was expected to end on January 3, 2014, but because of input from DOT stakeholders, the period has been extended to January 17, 2014.
MAP-21 requires the study of the impact of increasing truck size and weight. Many in the trucking industry are split on the issue. Several shipping groups have pushed to increase truck size and weight, which they say will increase productivity and reduce the number of trucks on the road, while many groups oppose the increase.
OOIDA says that many shippers and carriers are seeking to “increase weight limits to 97,000 pounds and in some areas 126,000.”
OOIDA and Teamsters have been vocal in their opposition, saying that increased truck size and weight limits will further damage the already aging infrastructure.
The American Trucking Association appears to be riding the fence on the issue, stating that individual states should be allowed to mandate truck size and weight regulations, based on the condition of the state’s infrastructure.
Do you support increased truck size and weight restrictions?
Comments should be sent to:
Email: [email protected].
Mail: Federal Highway Administration, Office of Freight Management and Operations, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., E84-471, Washington, DC 20590.