The Senate’s version of the Department of Transportation funding bill (H.R. 3488) includes a provision that would establish a one-year pilot program related to truck weight in the State of Maine. The Senate passed the appropriations bill, sending the measure to a conference with House leaders to reconcile differences between the two versions. It was unclear as CCJ went to press whether this process would be completed before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. If not, DOT funding would be included in a short-term funding extension to allow more time for discussion.
In its report on the funding bill, the Senate committee directed DOT to study the impact of the pilot program on safety, road durability, commerce and energy use. The panel also asked DOT to report to Congress within six months of the beginning of the pilot program what the effect had been on bridge safety and weight impacts.
