http://americanloggers.org/alc_briefing ... weight.pdf
Briefing Summary
State-legal Loads On The Interstate System
Agricultural (Including Forest) Commodities
Individual states have long set weight limits for their roads and highways. With the advent of the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways (Interstate System) the Federal Government established it’s own weight limits for this system. Thirteen states have received various exemptions from these limits. Transit buses and fire and other disaster response vehicles have temporary exemptions pending studies of their weights and use.
Generally, Title 23, Section 127(a), U.S. Code sets Interstate System weight limits at 20,000 pounds on a single axle; 34,000 pounds on tandems and a gross weight of 80,000 pounds on a 36 foot tandem spread. A bridge formula is used to recognize different axle spreads. These maximums include enforcement tolerances.
Based on safety considerations, the American Loggers Council (ALC) is proposing an additional exemption for agricultural (including forest) commodity loads that meet state-legal requirements and tolerances. The exemption is expected to result in a shift of a substantial amount of existing trip mileage from two-lane secondary roads and highways to the Interstate System and result in nominally fewer trips – and improved safety for the motoring public, including the trucks themselves.
The proposal requires the following (or similar) amendment to the United States Code:
Amend Title 23, Chapter 1, Subchapter I, Section 127(a), United States Code, by Adding the following final paragraph: “Individual State weight limitations and tolerances for agricultural (including forest) commodities that are applicable to State highways other than Interstate System, shall be applicable in lieu of the requirements of this subsection”.
For assistance regarding this proposal please contact Danny Dructor, American Loggers Council, (409) 625-0206.
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