Supply chains keep our economy moving. In fact, surface transportation, including trucking and rail, move 73% of all goods in the United States. Ensuring our roads, railroads, and bridges are in strong condition is key to making sure products make it to the last mile of their delivery. Despite the importance of surface transportation, America is short 60,000 truck drivers, and demand for goods only increases.As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I’m working on ways to ensure deliveries reach their final destination in an efficient manner. One way we can improve efficiency is by increasing the amount of weight a truck can transport. It has been 44 years since Congress last updated its gross vehicle weight limits — a lot of things have changed since 1982.By increasing the limit from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds across six axles instead of five, damage to roads will decrease, and so will the truck’s braking distance. Since studies show we can do it safely, we should give it a test drive. We’ll get more goods delivered on time, reduce damage on roads, make our highways safer, and drive growth in our economy.
OPINION — KEEP AMERICA MOVING: PASS AN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT BUILDS ON WHAT WORKS
