In April 2009, 48 lawmakers in the House of Representatives introduced the “Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act” (H.R. 1618) or SHIPA Act, which will maintain current truck size and weight limitations on the Interstate Highway System as well as extend a freeze to current size and weight limitations on the larger federally funded National Highway System. Senator Frank Lautenberg (NJ-D) introduced the same bill in the Senate (S.779).
Mike Michaud (D-Maine) introduced an opposing bill titled the “Safe Efficient Transportation Act” (H.R. 1799). That legislation would allow for weight limits on the Interstate Highway System to be raised to 97,000 lbs. from the current 80,000 lbs. limit and would require an additional trailer axle for trucks hauling heavier loads.
On April 1, OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer spoke at a press conference in the U.S. Capitol building with several lawmakers. The press conference was intended to highlight significant opposition to raising truck size and weight limits on federal highways.
The truck size and weight debate will continue to heat up as Congress gets closer to the next big highway bill.