The federal government is lifting weight limits for trucks on Vermont’s interstate highways as part of a pilot program.
The goal of the one-year program is to solve a problem that sends heavy trucks through Vermont cities and villages instead of using interstate highways.
Legislation containing the change was included in a version of the federal transportation bill that is being considered by Congress.
Senator Patrick Leahy sought the measure in response to complaints from Vermont constituents. Leahy says he hopes to learn whether or not the new option will ease truck traffic in areas like Derby Line, where trucks coming from Canada are forced to exit the interstate and take Route 5 South through Vermont.
Currently the weight limit for Interstates is 80,000 pounds.