By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

WASHINGTON, D.C. — An effort to increase semi weight limits on interstate highways in the U.S. House gained momentum with the recent endorsement of the Coalition for Transportation Productivity (CTP), a group of more than 160 shippers and allied associations in favor of responsibly increasing the tonnage trucks can legally transport on the nation’s roadways.

The measure, known as the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act (H.R. 1799), had previously been approved by the Agricultural Transportation Coalition (AgTC) and debated by the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC), among others. CTP officials applauded bill sponsors Reps. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio) and Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) for encouraging fellow members of the House Committee on Agriculture to support the act through a letter emphasizing the agricultural benefits of raising federal weight limits for semis to the full Committee.

“The Safe and Efficient Transportation Act is a smart, safe way to make our country’s agricultural products more competitive in the global marketplace,” stated Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Maine).

“Representatives Schmidt and Kagen realize that the current federal weight limit forces many trucks to leave the loading dock half-full, giving countries with higher weight limits the upper hand in agricultural production and shipment. Under (the act), state transportation officials could set weight limits of up to 97,000 pounds for six-axle trucks in order to safely ease the flow of goods, improve highway safety and reduce environmental impact.”

AgTC Executive Director Peter Friedmann issued a position paper concerning the bill indicating that increasing truck gross vehicle weights on the federal highway system – while keeping individual axle weight limits at the current level – will improve productivity, fuel conservation, air quality, infrastructure conservation and public safety, while at the same time reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion.

“These weight regulations are putting American companies at a steep disadvantage, particularly because in the case of agricultural products, efficient and inexpensive transportation is especially important,” Friedmann stated. “For this industry, trucking is the only practical option for transport, and U.S. companies are paying far more than their foreign competition to transport an equal amount of freight.

“Beyond being of benefit to the economy and American corporate interests, raising truck weight limits would also serve to bolster transport fuel efficiency. As recently as December 2006, the Energy Security Leadership Council recommended increasing truck weight to boost efficiency and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”

In July 2009, the STC published a checkoff-funded study, Heavier Semis: A Good Idea? It fell short of endorsing increased weight limits on interstates.

“The soybean industry and agriculture, in general, are routinely asked to support increased weight limits over the road system. The potential for increased transportation efficiencies may make this an attractive option. However, farmers are also concerned with motorist safety and the integrity of the road system,” the STC study concluded.

“In fact, those living in rural areas often experience a greater probability of encountering heavier semis – and the dangers they can pose – than those living in urban areas. The last thing farmers would want is to endorse a system that portends greater danger to themselves and their families and greater damage to the transportation system they depend on. Before the soybean industry endorses such a course of action, further analysis is merited.”

The Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2009 was originally introduced in the House by Michaud and Schmidt. The bill allows for heavier, not larger, trucks on interstates by allowing individual states the option of increasing interstate weight loads to 97,000 pounds for sixth-axle vehicles. A wear user fee included in the bill would help fund bridge repair.