HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-13 10-300 RESOLVECOUNCIL ACTION
Item No. 11) 3,00
Date: September 13, 2010
Item/Subject: Resolve, In Support of Extending the Truck Weight Limit Pilot Study
Increasing the Truck Weight Limit on the Entire Length of Maine's
Interstate System
Responsible Department: Engineering
Commentary:
For many years increasing the weight limit on I-95 North of Augusta and on I-295 and I-395 has
been a top priority for improving transportation safety and efficiency. Last year Federal
Department of Transportation approved the increase on a trial basis, which will end on
December 16, 2010. Our Congressional Delegation and the Maine Municipal Association are
requesting support from Maine Communities for a permanent change to the 100,000 weight
limit.
The attached Resolve expresses the City of Bangor's support for the permanent weight limit
increase on all of Maine's Interstate system.
Manager's omments:-At oommh /
Associated Information: Resolve
Budget Approval:
Legal Approval:
Introduced for
Passage
First Reading
Referral
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City Manager
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Assigned to Councilor - Bronson September 13, 2010
CITY OF BANGOR
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(TITLE.) Resolve, In Support of Extending the Truck Weight Limit Pilot Study
Increasing the Truck Weight Limit on the Entire Length of Maine's Interstate System
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR, BE IT RESOLVED,
WHEREAS, the provision in the Federa/Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2010
(PL 111-117), which increased the weight limit for six -axle vehicles traveling on Maine's entire
Interstate System from 80,000 to 100,000 pounds will expire on December 16, 2010; and
WHEREAS, prior to the enactment of PL 111-117, the truck weight limit on Interstate 95 north
of Augusta and on ,Interstate 295 and 395 was 80,000 pounds, while the weight limit on the
Maine Turnpike was 100,0000 pounds; and
WHEREAS, since 1999, municipal officials across the state and the Maine Municipal Association
have urged Maine's Congressional Delegation to support legislation enacting a uniform 100,000
pound truck weight limit on the entire length of Maine's Interstate System; and
WHEREAS, the section of Maine's I-95 running north of Augusta was originally designed and
built for military freight movements to Loring Air Force Base at weights that exceeded 100,000
pounds; and ,
WHEREAS, municipal officials believe that the temporary weight limit increase provided for in
PL 111-117 will have demonstrable impacts on the preservation of the road and bridge
infrastructure and improved public safety on Maine's smaller and less substantially built state
and local roads; and
WHEREAS, as a result the economy, fuel prices and improvements in motor vehicle
performance, which is contributing to the stagnation of the revenue available to fund state and
local projects, Maine's Department of Transportation is failing seriously behind on its highway
and bridge maintenance and repair program and is now exploring avenues to share state -level
capital improvement responsibilities over the minor collector road system with local property
taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, the enactment of a permanent and uniform 100,000 pound truck weight limit
increase for six -axle trucks will keep these more productive trucks on the federal Interstate
System where they belong, and thereby take some of the pressure off the smaller state and
local roads;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Bangor do hereby
express its support for the extension of the federal truck weight limit increase on Maine's entire
Interstate System so that the 100,000 pound limit is made permanent.
IN CITY COUNCIL
Sep ember 13, 2010
Pa ed
CITY CLERK
RESOLVE
(UTLEIn support of Extending the
.Truck Weight Limit on the Entire Length
Qf Maine's Interstate System
Aulped•to Councilor