Idaho Transportation Department to Hold Hearings On Heavier Trucks
The Idaho Transportation Department will hold public hearings next week to take comments on allowing trucks up to 129,000 pounds on U.S. Highway 95 and sections of state Highways 3 and 8 in Latah County.
The law affects trucks with reducible shipments, which means cargo or goods can be removed to make them lighter, said Adam Rush, Idaho Transportation Department public involvement coordinator.
The maximum reducible load has been 105,000 pounds, 12 tons per truck less than the new rules.
"It's really designed to help trucking and shipping companies improve their efficiency and reduce the number of vehicles on the road, which reduces congestion and improves safety," Rush said.
He added that each truck would be able to haul more cargo, thus reducing the number of trips trucks would have to make.
Public comments will be taken on allowing the heavier trucks on:
• U.S. 95 from Lewiston to the Latah/Benewah county line.
• State Highway 3 from its junction with U.S. 12 through Juliaetta and Kendrick to Deary.
• State highways 3 and 8 from Deary to Bovill.
• U.S. 12 from its junction with U.S. 95 to the Montana border.
Rush said an ITD pilot project evaluated the heavier trucks.
"Trucks that weigh 129,000 pounds with the appropriate number of axles and spacing, they can safely use the highways," he said. "And again with those number of axles, the weight of the shipment is essentially spread out and evenly distributed."
The effect on roads is significantly reduced when the appropriate number of axles are used, Rush said.
