The Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) included this article in the VLCT Weekly Leglslative Report No. 6, dated February 3, 2006. The web site is:

Carmen Anderson

 

 

The Senate Transportation Committee held a hearing on Wednesday to discuss a resolution calling on the United States Congress to raise interstate highway weight limits.

The resolution, introduced by Senator Illuzzi of Essex-Orleans, calls for the 80,000-pound weight limit for commercial vehicles to be raised to as much as 99,000-pounds for six-axle vehicles traveling on Interstates 89 and 91. In addition to the proposed increase for six-axle trucks, the resolution calls for the following changes for other truck lengths:

5-axle vehicles – from 80,000 pounds to 90,000 pounds;

4-axle vehicles – from 54,000 pounds to 69,000 pounds;

3-axle vehicles – from 46,000 pounds to 60,000 pounds.

The 99,000-pound weigh limit, if allowed by Congress, would mirror the interstate weight limit in neighboring New Hampshire. Because of the current 80,000-pound weight limit, the longer, heavier trucks that carry more weight are forced onto local roads, rumbling through town and village centers. The truck traffic creates issues with road maintenance, the safety of motorists and pedestrians and the quality of life.

The 2006 Municipal Policy adopted by League members at Town Fair last October contains a section that supports this resolution. The section states, "the Legislature should instruct VTrans to work with the federal government to set weight limits on interstate highways consistent with the existing state highway weight limits allowed with permits in order to reduce the impact of overweight vehicles that are forced onto local roads."

Wednesday’s hearing was the Committee’s first time looking at Senator Illuzzi’s resolution. More hearings are anticipated.