This article has been reprinted from USDA's April 2 Grain Transportation Report.
On March 30, 62 food and agricultural organizations sent a letter to governors and other State officials requesting States increase truck weight limits to a minimum of 88,000 pounds on U.S. Highways and Federal Interstate Highways for the rest of fiscal year 2020.
The request aims to optimize capacity of the U.S. food supply chain if fewer truck drivers are available because of coronavirus disease (COVID19).
Section 22003 of the recently enacted stimulus bill clarifies the U.S. Department of Transportation’s authority to allow States to increase truck weight limits on U.S. interstate highways during the COVID-19 emergency.
The States already have the authority to raise truck weight limits on their State roads.
The request also seeks to ensure minimum weights are “harmonized” across all States—i.e., all States adopt the same minimum—so drivers will have no impediments when crossing State lines.