On the recordNovember 17, 2011
I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise today in support of a provision in the underlying bill that will move the heaviest trucks traveling in Maine off secondary roads and onto the interstate. People in the State of Maine already know the benefits of this commonsense provision. That's why it has the support of organizations throughout the State of Maine, such as the Maine Department of Transportation, the Maine Department of Public Safety, the Maine State Police, because they know it's safer to have these trucks on the interstate. Additionally, letting heavier trucks use the interstate reduces fuel consumption, cuts emissions, reduces travel time, and reduces the competitive disadvantage between Maine and the surrounding States that already have a higher truck weight limit on their interstate. So I would like to thank my colleagues that supported my efforts to ensure that this provision was included in the final bill, and I would encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill. I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member for their efforts as well.
