124th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1736		LR 2538(02)
	An Act To Improve Safety on Maine's Primary and Secondary Roads, Reduce Road Maintenance Costs and Improve the Environment and the Economy by Allowing Certain Heavy Commercial Vehicles on the Interstate Highway System in Maine
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "   "
	Committee: Transportation
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Current biennium savings - Highway Fund Current biennium savings - Federal Expenditures Funds Minor cost increase - General Fund Minor revenue increase - General Fund
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
	Increase in the number of traffic infractions. The collection of additional fines may also increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This legislation allows 6-axle combination vehicles consisting of 3-axle truck tractors with tri-axle semitrailers up to 100,000 pounds gross vehicle weight to operate on Maine's Interstate Highway System for as long as the federal exemption to the 80,000 pound limit is in effect.  This exemption would allow these trucks to travel on the interstate as opposed to secondary roads.  It is expected that this exemption would result in Highway Fund and Federal Expenditures Funds savings as a result of lower bridge maintenance and rehabilitation and pavement costs.  A 2004 study of the effect of this exemption performed by the Maine Department of Transportation indicated total annual savings of $1,300,000 to $2,000,000.  It would be expected that the total annual savings would be significantly higher in 2010 dollars.  However, no updated analysis on cost savings is available.  Any cost savings would be used to fund additional highway and bridge maintenance and construction projects.