The Soy Transportation Coalition and the American Soybean Association are among a coalition of ag groups asking Congress to include language in an appropriations bill to allow ten states to increase commercial truck weight limits. Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek says it would let the states be part of a pilot project to allow heavier truck weights on interstate highways.

He says they have proof that heavier truck weights with the extra axle are safe for motorists and the roads themselves.

Steenhoek says most ag commodities are shipped by truck so if that can be made more effective it will help in getting more commodities to foreign and domestic markets.

The coalition sent a letter to House Appropriation Committee members noting it’s been 35 years since the federal government updated the gross vehicle weight limit of 80,000 pounds on interstate highways.