Members urged to oppose Minn. heavy-truck bill now
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Members are being urged to contact Gov. Tim Pawlenty immediately to express their opposition to legislation that would increase truck weights to nearly 100,000 pounds.
An action alert distributed today (April 8) by UTU Minnesota State Legislative Director John Smullen said opposition to House File 804 and Senate File 1324 can be expressed to the governor by calling 1-800-657-3717 or (651-296-3391.
"Please tell Gov. Pawlenty: 'We do not want heavier trucks damaging our bridge and roads and endangering our lives,'" Smullen said.
House File 804 and Senate File 1324 will allow much heavier trucks on Minnesota highways for transporting all unfinished forest products. The bill will allow six-axel 98,000-pound trucks in the winter and 90,000-pound trucks during all other times of the year.
Not only are heavier trucks bad for the state's infrastructure, Smullen said, but the big rigs pose a safety hazard. "One study showed that as weights went from 65,000 pounds to 80,000 pounds, the risk of a crash being fatal goes up 50%," he said.
Early estimates of the bridge weight analysis indicate heavier trucks will cost the local government $2.2 million, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT), not including the actual damage of heavier trucks. The additional damage and costs associated with the repairs to northern routes will divert precious financial resources from road and bridge repair needs and also other potential projects, such as public transportation, Smullen said.
"And this is just the beginning," the alert said. "Other special interests, including waste haulers, dairy trucks, live stock trucks and farm product haulers, have all sought increased weight exemptions this year."
Also, according to the 2000 National Bridge inventory data, there are 161 bridges in Minnesota on the National Highway System that are "structurally deficient" or "functionally obsolete," the alert said. "With Minnesota's current budget deficit of more than $1.953 billion (Minnesota Budget Project 2003), we cannot afford to jeopardize more of our bridges with heavier trucks," the alert said.
"The U.S. Department of Transportation estimated bridge costs associated with nationwide operation of heavier trucks at $329 billion ($65 billion in capital costs and $264 in user delay costs)," Smullen said. "One 40-ton single trailer truck does as much pavement damage to the road as 9,600 cars, and one 50-ton single trailer truck does as much pavement damage to the road as 27,000 cars."
Those with more questions about the legislation can contact Michael Guest at 612-724-9454 or John Smullen at (763) 788-3594.
6:27:10 PM 
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