Colorado Leaders: Help Oppose 91,000-lb Truck Pilot Program

[Nate Kaplan]

Dear Board Chair Kefalas,

I’m Nate Kaplan with GoRail, a national nonprofit focused on smart transportation policy. As Congress begins work on transportation reauthorization, a new proposal would allow 91,000-pound trucks—a 14% increase over current weight limits—through a 10-year “pilot program.”

An analysis conducted with local officials and county engineers estimates that 91,000-pound trucks would cost $78 billion in local infrastructure damage. In Colorado alone:

• Local bridges at risk with 91,000-pound trucks: 851 

• Cost of replacing at-risk bridges: $1,198,175,706

At current limits, trucks only cover about 80% of their damage per USDOT. Heavier trucks would deepen that gap—shifting more costs to local taxpayers while increasing traffic, emissions, and wear on infrastructure as freight gets diverted away from rail.

To push back, we’re working with the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks on a letter from state and local leaders urging Congress to reject this proposal. A similar letter from CABT in 2023 secured the support of over 1,500 — this year, we hope to send an even stronger message.

Please click this link to learn more and let us know if we can add your name to the letter. You can also simply respond “add my name” to this email if you wish to sign.

Thank you in advance for helping us to persuade Congress that local roads and bridges simply cannot handle heavier trucks. Let me know if you have any questions—I’d be happy to connect.

Sincerely,

Nate

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Nate Kaplan

GORAIL

mobile: 310.428.5318

www.gorail.org