Bill would keep large tractor trailers off national highways
A bill introduced today by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D, N.J.)would keep larger trucks off international highways.
The Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act (SHIPA) of 2011 would extend the same guidelines to national highways that interstate highways already follow, capping trucks at 80,000 pounds and a maximum length of 53 feet.
“Keeping super sized tractor-trailers off our roads will save lives and protect our highways and bridges from heavy damage,” Lautenberg said in a release.” Exemptions would be granted for things like firefighting equipment.
The restrictions already apply to most of the 44,000 miles of the Interstate Highway System, and would be extended to include the 160,000 miles of the National Highway System.
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