A Proposal That Creates Jobs and Saves Taxpayer Money
September 30, 2009
by: John Frydenlund

Government WasteWatch, Fall 2009

Earlier this year, Congressman Mike Michaud (D-Maine) introduced H.R. 1799, the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act, which would increase the federal gross vehicle weight limit to 97,000 pounds with an additional axle.  Current federal law limits gross vehicle weight on interstate highways to 80,000 pounds with five axles, while Mexico’s weight limit is 106,000 pounds and Canada’s weight limit is 95,000 pounds.

A study by the American Transportation Research Institute found that a 97,000 pound truck is 17 percent more fuel-efficient on a tons per mile basis than a truck with a gross weight of 80,000 pounds.  Increasing capacity will also improve efficiency; more freight will be moved using fewer trucks.  During a time of economic downturn, this legislation will stimulate the economy by helping American companies stay competitive.

H.R. 1799 would also save taxpayers money.  According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there would be 20-year pavement restoration cost savings of $2.5 billion if five-axle 80,000 pound trucks were replaced by six-axle 97,000 pound trucks.  In addition to requiring a sixth axle, H.R. 1799 would increase fees for those trucks operating at the higher weight limits.  This additional revenue would be directed at maintaining and strengthening the highway infrastructure.

This is the sort of idea that the Obama administration and Congress ought to embrace.