Maine's Congressman Mike Michaud is praising Idaho Senator Mike Crapo for introducing a Senate version of his truck weight bill.

The Safe and Efficient Transportation Act (H.R. 1799) would allow states to increase the weight of trucks allowed on the federal interstate system within their borders. Currently, trucks cannot haul more than 80,000 pounds on the interstate, sending logging vehicles to Maine-run roads where the limit is 100,000 pounds.

“It’s great news that Senator Crapo has introduced the bill,” said Michaud. “It will hopefully provide momentum to my efforts to seek a permanent change to Maine’s Interstate truck weight limit.”

Michaud has been working on this issue for years. He met with U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in Washington in April, 2009 to discuss the exemption.

A study by the Maine Department of Transportation concluded that the state could save up to $2.3 million a year in reduced pavement repair if heavy trucks could use the interstate system.

"Most importantly, [the bill] would promote safety for Mainers by making sure more heavily loaded trucks aren’t forced to take secondary roads through town centers in their travels up and down our state,” said Michaud.

Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (R-OH) is a lead cosponsor of the House version of the bill.

Editor's note: When this story was first published, we incorrectly stated that Senator Crapo serves Indiana. We have corrected the error.