September 11, 1974
Page 30859
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, I am supporting the revised truck weight limits contained in S. 3934, the Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974, proposed by the Public Works Committee.
I do so for several reasons. First, the increases in the maximum allowable weight per axle and in the gross weight allowable – from 73,280 to 80,000 – are reasonable, particularly since there have been no increases since 1956.
Second, the legislation contains another weight limit control, known as the "bridge formula," which establishes specific limits according to a combination of factors – that is, the number of axles, axle spacing, and gross weights. This formula will be particularly useful to professional highway administrators, since it would provide them with a flexible tool for applying strict limits to a wide variety of vehicles.
Third, the legislation is important to my home State of Maine in that it will establish similar limits on weight per axle currently applicable to interstate highways in Maine to interstate highways throughout the country. Also, it will establish the same gross weight limits to interstate highways everywhere which are now applicable to the Maine Turnpike and other non-interstate highways in Maine for our State's most important products.
In other words, Maine commercial truck transportation will be able to travel as freely throughout the country as is now generally possible in Maine.
Transportation – particularly truck transportation – is basic to Maine's economic livelihood. We are far from the principal markets for many of the products we produce. Trucks provide a vital link between producer and buyer.
The equalization of truck weight limits which will result from this legislation would have a beneficial effect on an important segment of Maine industry and on the economy as a whole. I urge its adoption.