Proponents Press Congress on Heavier-Truck Bill

WASHINGTON — Cattle ranchers, steel makers and trucking company executives fanned out across Capitol Hill last week in an effort to spark congressional interest in heavier trucks.

The April 4 legislative “fly-in” was organized by Americans for Safe and Efficient Transportation, a coalition that would like to see trucks weighing up to 97,000 pounds operating on federal highways as long as the trailers are fitted with a third axle.

ASET members are shippers, receivers, carriers, a dozen state trucking associations and several other national trucking groups.

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Legislation, which is working its way through the House, is backed by the group and would give states the option to allow the heavier trucks on Interstate highways ("Heavier-Trucks Bill Sits in Congress," 4-3, p. 58). Most states routinely grant permits to carriers hauling loads well over the current 80,000-pound federal limit.



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