Legislation may allow heavier trucks on Maine's busiest interstate

A recent pilot program in Maine allowed trucks weighing up to 100,000 pounds to travel on Interstate 95 North. However, it has since expired, and U.S. Senator Susan Collins recently announced that her top priority is to make the proposal a permanent fixture, Bangor Daily News reports.

Collins told the news provider that increasing truck weight limits from 80,000 to 100,000 pounds demonstrated improved safety, lowered costs, less energy and decreased air emissions. She added that driving on Interstate 95 would save truckers 50 minutes and an estimated $30 in fuel costs.

Furthermore, the alternative for truckers in Maine is to travel on secondary roads in which they would encounter nine school crossings, 30 traffic lights and 86 crosswalks.

"We recognize that trucks of this size do not belong on Maine’s city streets and secondary roads," Ron Gastia, Bangor police chief, told the media outlet. "We have seen firsthand the tragedy that can come when heavy trucks are allowed on these streets."

Enrolling employees into online truck training courses can provide safety education for both young and experienced drivers in the fleet.

Legislation may allow heavier trucks on Maine's busiest interstate

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011