[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1093]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO WAIVE FEDERAL WEIGHT LIMITS ON THE MAINE 
                               INTERSTATE

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                        HON. JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 13, 2001

  Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
exempt commercial vehicles traveling on the Maine Interstate from 
federal weight limits. Maine finds itself in a rather unique and 
dangerous situation. Canada and states surrounding Maine have much 
higher weight limits for trucks than those on Maine's Interstate. As a 
result, when they enter Maine, these heavy trucks are diverted onto 
smaller state and local roads. This diversion has caused two major 
problems.
  First, the diversion of these trucks onto state and local roads is 
destroying these roads, Most are not built to handle the wear and tear 
caused by heavy trucks which would not normally be driven on secondary 
roads. As a result, the state and local governments are forced to use 
scarce funds to meet high repair and maintenance costs. In a 
geographically large state where every transportation dollar counts, 
such expenditures drain funds away from other high priority projects. 
By contrast, the Interstate is designed to absorb the wear and tear 
caused by heavy vehicles, and I believe that is where they should be 
driving.
  Second, having these trucks on secondary roads causes an extreme 
safety hazard. Heavy vehicles, such as tanker trucks carrying hazardous 
material and fuel oil, simply should not be traveling through 
communities with small roads, narrow intersections and difficult 
rotaries. Regrettably, there have been many accidents--some fatal--
between large trucks and private vehicles on these smaller roads. The 
roadways are not designed to accommodate heavy trucks, whereas the 
Interstate system clearly is. I believe that getting these trucks back 
on the Interstate where they belong will enhance safety.
  My bill will institute a 3-year pilot program during which time the 
federal weight limits will not apply to Maine's Interstate. During this 
waiver period, traffic data will be collected and reviewed by a Safety 
Committee headed by the Maine Department of Transportation. If the 
Committee finds that the waiver in fact has not negatively impacted 
safety, then the waiver will become permanent.
  This important bill represents a good first step in solving this very 
real and very dangerous problem for Maine's people and Maine's roads.

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