Heavy Weight Truck Amendment Defeated

The amendment that would allow 6-axle trucks to carry up to 91,000 pounds was defeated in Congress last week. The below update from Peter Friedman of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) outlines the details of the vote as well as the disappointment surrounding its outcome:

AgTC: Heavy Weight Truck Amendment Defeated

November 3, 2015

We are disappointed to have to inform you that the amendment that would allow 6-axle trucks to carry up to 91,000 pounds was defeated in Congress 187 to 236.

This issue continues to be an AgTC priority– the countries which are producing competitive products to US agriculture and forest products, such as Canada, Brazil, Argentina and all of Europe, currently allow 96,600 pounds gross vehicle weight, which is even 5000 pounds more than was being proposed in this amendment. So we will continue to press for this improvement in truck productivity.

In the end, the combination of law enforcement organizations organized by the rail lobby and an astounding amount of misinformation about the details of the proposal were too great to overcome. It is difficult when the railroads don’t want to carry the cargo that needs to be carried, but then, they spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to lobby against letting another mode carry that same cargo efficiently. 

If you have any questions or concerns about the above vote or would like additional information, please contact us by phone or email.