Monthly Archives: February 2012

The House Transportation Committee recently debated the impact of longer, heavier trucks on the nation's highways. During discussions for funding a five-year transportation bill, the committee considered amendments that would permit trucks up to 110-feet in length and weighing 126,000 pounds. Three-Year Study Requested Concerns were raised that these changes would compromise safety of other vehicles and increase the risk of truck accidents. The heavier trucks could also damage local roads that were built to less robust standards than the interstate highway system. The vote went along party lines, with Republicans backing trucking interests and Democrats opposing the larger trucks. The…