The one victory for local Michigan governments coming out of the U.S. House transportation authorization legislation is that an effort to increase truck weights has been defeated, for now.

As introduced, the U.S. House bill contained language that would have allowed for increased truck sizes and weights.  But, during committee deliberation, an amendment was adopted removing that language and inserting a provision requiring a comprehensive study on truck size and weight.

While the amendment that passed struck provisions that would have allowed expanded use of the triple trailer trucks, 97,000 lbs. singles nation-wide, 126,000 lbs singles on 25 mile stretches of interstate as well as 88,000 pound auto-haulers, language remains in the bill that mandates all states allow 33 feet double trailers, 66 feet in total length, up from 28 feet currently allowed in Michigan.

As such, please keep up the pressure on your congressional representatives urging them to vote no on bigger trucks.

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.