Trucks weighing up to 129,000 pounds could travel interstates under a provision introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, in the 2015 House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill.
The increased weight allowance would put Idaho in line with neighboring states and some of Idaho's state highways.
Interstates in Idaho now have a weight limit of 105,500 pounds, significantly less than neighboring states such as Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada.
"This has made it difficult for Idaho producers to ship goods to, from and through the state," said a statement by Simpson's office.
The bill comes on the heels of a 10-year pilot project that allowed 129,000-pound trucks on designated routes throughout southern Idaho, said Nathan Jerke, spokesman for the Idaho Department of Transportation.
The 10-year study found that increasing truck weight limits would have no significant effect on roadway safety or on the structural soundness of Idaho bridges and pavement.
When the study concluded last year, the designated state highways testing the 129,000-pound weights were approved for the increased limit, Jerke said.
Most of the state roads with increased limits are in the Magic Valley and southeastern Idaho, he said.
Increased weight limits "would help the trucking industry," said John Hadden, safety director for Scott Jackson Trucking in Jerome.
Routing heavy trucks over highways with varying weight limits can hamper business, Hadden said.
Scott Jackson Trucking has some trucks that haul about 122,000 pounds but can't cross the Perrine Bridge because of its105,000-pound limit.
"We have to go to the Hansen Bridge to cross the Snake River," Hadden said.
The Hansen Bridge was part of the 10-year, 129,000-pound weight limit study, Jerke said, and now has the increased weight allowance.
In order to carry increased weight, truckers could retrofit tractors and trailers with more axles -- which would be costly -- or they could upgrade when buying new equipment, Hadden said.
But not everyone will be happy with increased weight limits on the Interstate.
Some who testified before the Legislature last year expressed concern that many Idaho roads aren't ready for the overweight trucks, and that the trucks pose a safety issue for the truck drivers and the public.
"There's not one single study in this planet that's been done on the effect of these trucks on these roads outside the pilot project," said Stuart Davis of the Idaho Association of Highway Districts.
Increased weight limits on Idaho Interstates will not happen overnight, Jerke said. "But this is the first step of many steps before bringing (the increased weight limit) back to Idaho."
The bill was to be marked up by the THUD subcommittee on Wednesday, then will go to the full Appropriations Committee for consideration, before going to the House floor.
Copyright 2014 - The Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho
