Bigger Trucks, Bigger Stakes: Understanding the Transportation Debate in Congress

Should trucks on America's highways get heavier and longer? Congress is weighing exactly that question in the next surface transportation bill — and the outcome would affect road safety, local infrastructure costs, and freight movement in communities nationwide. GoRail partnered with the National League of Cities for this webinar, bringing together more than 250 local officials, public works professionals, and law enforcement leaders to break down what's actually on the table: a proposed 10-year pilot program raising the federal truck weight limit from 80,000 to 91,000 pounds, what it would mean for the 68,000+ local bridges that couldn't safely handle the increase, and where the debate stands in Congress right now. Panelists: Betsy Cantwell, President, GoRail (moderator) Brad Roseberry, President, Coalition Against Bigger Trucks Chief Steven Casstevens (Ret.), Past President, International Association of Chiefs of Police Andrea Eales, Director of Government & Public Affairs, American Public Works Association Michael Bauman, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Timestamps: 0:00 Welcome and introductions 4:08 CABT overview — who's pushing for bigger trucks, and why 14:19 Law enforcement on crash rates, braking, and bridge risk 22:08 APWA on infrastructure costs and the Highway Trust Fund 29:04 Where the pilot program stands in Congress 36:20 Audience Q&A Stay informed and get involved with GoRail's advocacy network: www.gorail.org