An effort to exempt Maine highways from a federal truck weight limit for one year is moving forward.
A U.S. Senate and House conference committee gave final approval to the measure, which would allow trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds, but no more than 100,000 pounds, to travel on I-95 between Augusta and Houlton, according to the Bangor Daily News. Currently, trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds are diverted onto secondary roads. The one-year pilot program was part of the Senate’s version of a transportation appropriations bill, but was not included in the House version. Sen. Susan Collins, a member of the committee charged with merging the two bills, was credited for getting the exemption included in the final version, according to the paper.
The Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation Appropriations report is expected to receive final approval from both the House and Senate before the end of the year, and would take effect as soon as it is signed by President Obama.
Go to the article from the Bangor Daily News >>
