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Federal COVID-19 legislation allows states to increase truck weight limits during the pandemic.

March 31, 2020

1 Min Read
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More than 60 national agricultural groups have urged each state to increase truck weight limits on highways within their jurisdiction to a “minimum harmonized weight” of 88,000 pounds.

“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.”

The federal Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security Act signed into law last week expressly clarifies the U.S. Department of Transportation’s authority to allow states to increase truck weight limits on U.S. highways and federal interstate highways within their jurisdictions during the COVID-19 emergency. 

“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.

View the full letter here.

Source: The National Grain and Feed Association, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset. 

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