Proposed bill would allow heavier trucks on interstates

View of Cedar Rapids, Ia. from Interstate 380, 6/98.

IOWA CITY – A proposed bill that could allow heavier trucks to use Iowa’s interstates is getting mixed reaction from truck drivers.

Currently, trucks can weigh no more than 80,000 pounds. The bill would increase that amount to 97,000.

“The road is really tore up, 97,000 could be pushing it,” said truck driver Steven Shepard.

A U.S. House committee is expected to vote on the bill by the end of the week. Ultimately, weight restrictions rest in the hands of the state, but opponents argue the state would be lobbied into raising the weight restriction amount to the federal maximum.

“I think it’s a good idea, move more freight,” said truck driver Troy Horn. “It helps business as far as the money aspects of it.”

State troopers are against the increase. The National Troopers’ Coalition believes increasing weight will also increase danger on the roadways.

“When you have heavy loads it takes longer to stop,” truck driver Mohammed Rezak said. “So you can’t control sometimes when you have a heavy load.”

The Troopers’ Coalition also warns that heavier cargo will bring more double and triple trailer trucks to the roadways.