More than 60 agricultural groups are asking states to increase weight limits for trucks in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
“Establishing a minimum truck weight limit of 88,000 pounds would ensure that a minimum harmonized weight exists across the country and help protect against essential shipments adhering to this common increase from being impeded at state borders,” the letter notes.
The $2 trillion stimulus bill signed last week “expressly clarifies the U.S. Department of Transportation’s authority to allow states to increase truck weight limits during the COVID-19 emergency,” say the groups, including the National Grain and Feed Association and dozens of others representing a range of commodities and other interests.
“Increased truck weights improve the food and agriculture industry’s efficiency and capacity to deliver essential food, feed and key ingredients which sustain our food supply chain,” the groups said in a March 30 letter to all state governors, lieutenant governors, transportation directors and agriculture commissioners. “This will become more critical if the availability of truck drivers is impacted adversely by COVID-19.”
NGFA spokesperson Sarah Gonzalez explained that the letter is intended for states with maximum limits less than 88,000 pounds. "The groups would like for these states to raise their truck weight maximum limits to a minimum of at least 88,000 lbs., which would harmonize the lower end of truck weight maximum limits."
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