WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe announced that she offered an amendment Monday to the Transportation Enhancement Act for the 21st Century, otherwise known as the Highway Reauthorization Bill, that would allow the state of Maine to set its own truck weight limits on the state’s Interstate Highway System, which would keep trucks off smaller, secondary roads improving overall road safety.

“While first-class roads are important for economic development, safe roads are just as essential to the quality of life of our citizens. That is why it is critical that we keep heavy trucks off of our local roads,” said Snowe. “I have long been concerned that the existing interstate weight limits in Maine have effectively forced trucks onto state and local secondary roads that were never designed to handle heavy commercial trucks safely.”

Truck weight became an issue in the Bangor area with the state’s purchase of the Georgia-Pacific landfill in west Old Town. With more heavily loaded trucks entering the area and unable to use I-95, local leaders feared local roads would have excessive traffic and wear.

Federal law attempts to provide uniform truck weight limits – 80,000 pounds – on the federal Interstate Highway System. Today, trucks that are heavier than 80,000 pounds have been given an exemption to travel in Maine from the New Hampshire border to Augusta along Interstate 95. This has had the unintended consequence of forcing these trucks off the interstate highways that have safety features specifically designed for heavy truck traffic, onto state and local roads that do not have specific safety provisions for large trucks.

“The safety and economic benefits of getting heavy trucks off of Maine local roads and onto the interstate are enormous. As such, I have filed an amendment to the highway bill that would direct the secretary of transportation to establish a three-year pilot program to improve commercial motor vehicle safety in the state of Maine,” said Snowe. “The measure would direct the secretary, during this period, to waive federal vehicle weight limitations on certain commercial vehicles weighing over 80,000 pounds using the interstate system within Maine, permitting the state to set the weight limit. In addition, it would provide for the waiver to become permanent unless the secretary determines it has resulted in an adverse impact on highway safety. I believe this is a measured, responsible approach to a very serious public safety issue that has hurt too many of Maine’s citizens.”