Title
RESOLUTION OPPOSING FEDERAL LEGISLATION INCREASING THE SIZE AND WEIGHT LIMITS FOR SEMI-TRUCKS.
Body
BY COUNCILORS SIPRESS AND FILIPOVICH:
WHEREAS, protecting the safety of motorists and maintaining the affordability, quality and reliability of our transportation infrastructure is a priority for the city council; and
WHEREAS, because the trucking industry is a fundamental component of the national and local economy, reasonable size and weight limits are necessary for truck drivers to conduct their work in a safe and responsible manner; and
WHEREAS, the federal highway administration identified a total of 5,099 bridges in Minnesota that are rated as being in “poor” or “fair” condition, with rehabilitation of those rated as poor costing over $200,000,000 and replacement of those bridges costing over $422,000,000; and
WHEREAS, the 2016 study conducted by the United States department of transportation titled the “Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study” recommended against any changes to existing laws due to infrastructure and public safety concerns; and
WHEREAS, heavier and larger trucks will compromise road safety and damage already stressed local roads and bridges.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the city council requests that our federal congressional delegation oppose all efforts to increase semi-truck size and weight limits.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the city clerk forward a copy of this resolution to U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and U.S. Representative Pete Stauber.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The city council opposes federal legislation increasing the size and weight limits for semi-trucks on Minnesota highways because larger and heavier trucks will decrease the safety of motorists and damage transportation infrastructure.