[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 149 (Thursday, September 18, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9027-S9028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CRAIG (for himself and Mr. Crapo):
  S. 3516. A bill to permit commercial vehicles at weights up to 
129,000 pounds to use certain highways of the Interstate System in the 
State of Idaho which would provide significant savings in the 
transportation of goods throughout the United States, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to introduce the 
Idaho Efficient Vehicle Demonstration Act of 2008. I am pleased that my 
colleague, Senator Crapo, is fully supportive and an original cosponsor 
of this bill, and that an identical bill will be introduced today in 
the House of Representatives by our colleagues, Representatives Mike 
Simpson and Bill Sali.
  This is a bill that is very important to the State of Idaho. It is a 
bill that will improve the efficiency of freight movement within the 
State, provide significant economic benefits to a variety of local 
natural resource-based industries, and establish a record attesting to 
the safety of heavier, more efficient vehicles.

[[Page S9028]]

  The State of Idaho has long recognized the need to provide a more 
productive means of freight transport. In light of that, the Idaho 
State Legislature created a pilot project in 2003 to allow vehicle 
combinations weighing up to 129,000 pounds on designated routes within 
the State highway system. As a result of this pilot project, Idaho has 
realized significant economic benefits and has established a strong 
record of safety while utilizing more efficient vehicles.
  Idaho's sugar beet, potato, grain, dairy and phosphate industries 
reported that participation in the pilot project resulted in reduced 
fuel consumption and equipment maintenance and increased productivity 
based on estimates of five to eight percent savings in freight costs. 
Amalgamated Sugar Company reported 30,000 fewer truck trips, resulting 
in an estimated savings of just under $300,000.
  This pilot project has been in effect for 5 years and no safety 
concerns have been raised by the participants or by the Idaho 
Transportation Department in their initial report last year. In fact, 
survey responses from pilot project participants found that safety was 
the same or greater due to the reduced numbers of trucks on the road. 
Similarly, the pilot project has not been found to create a significant 
change in pavement conditions when compared to previous years.
  In light of this 5-year record, I believe it is appropriate and 
necessary to make a very small, targeted expansion of this project by 
adding limited stretches of Federal highway to the existing State pilot 
project to help connect our State and Federal roads so that the 
movement of goods can proceed more efficiently in the future.
  This small expansion is necessary for several reasons. Idaho's 
neighboring States of Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming do not have 
such stringent limits on their Federal highways due to grandfathered 
rights. This puts Idaho at a distinct competitive disadvantage and 
slows the free flow of freight between neighboring States. This bill 
would help to even that disparity in weight restrictions among our 
neighbors. It will also provide valuable data and information to the 
U.S. Department of Transportation as to the net beneficial effects to 
our infrastructure by requiring that road, bridge and accident 
information is gathered and reported.
  This bill has the strong support of Idaho Governor Butch Otter, the 
Idaho Transportation Department, and the business community, including 
both shippers and motor carriers. The Idaho Trucking Association has 
specifically endorsed this proposal as have numerous shipper companies 
that are based in my home State.
  I recognize that there are significant challenges facing the freight 
industry and, by association, our natural resource-based industries 
that rely heavily on trucks to move their freight. Changes in truck 
emission requirements, a seemingly perpetual driver shortage, sustained 
high fuel costs, and increasing insurance premiums are only a few of 
the challenges that face truck companies and struggling industries in 
Idaho. With that said, this is one step that can be taken to relieve 
some of the burden on our freight industry, and do so in a safe, 
economic and environmentally friendly fashion.
  If enacted, this bill will improve safety by reducing the number of 
trucks on Idaho roads. It will have a positive environmental impact by 
reducing diesel consumption and emissions. It will provide an economic 
boost to the State by reducing wear and tear on Idaho highways and 
improving the competitiveness of our natural resource industries.
  In light of the enormous task of reauthorizing our Nation's surface 
transportation policy next year, it is important that proposals of this 
nature be allowed time to be discussed and vetted at length. 
Ultimately, it is my hope that we might be able to make some targeted 
changes to Federal weight restrictions in order to achieve significant 
environmental and economic gains while still keeping the highest regard 
for safety.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to move 
forward this important issue.
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