WASHINGTON — Cattle ranchers, steel makers and trucking company executives fanned out across Capitol Hill last week in an effort to spark congressional interest in heavier trucks.
The April 4 legislative “fly-in” was organized by Americans for Safe and Efficient Transportation, a coalition that would like to see trucks weighing up to 97,000 pounds operating on federal highways as long as the trailers are fitted with a third axle.
ASET members are shippers, receivers, carriers, a dozen state trucking associations and several other national trucking groups.
Legislation, which is working its way through the House, is backed by the group and would give states the option to allow the heavier trucks on Interstate highways ("Heavier-Trucks Bill Sits in Congress," 4-3, p. 58). Most states routinely grant permits to carriers hauling loads well over the current 80,000-pound federal limit.
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