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Farm groups push higher truck weight limits; DOT, counties and townships warn of bridge and road damage
Summary
House Bill 1407 would raise gross vehicle weight limits on state and local highways to allow heavier farm and commodity trucks (proposal cited 113,000 pounds). The House Transportation Committee heard farm‑industry support and technical opposition from the North Dakota Department of Transportation, counties and townships.
Representative Mike Brandenburg, sponsor of House Bill 1407, told the committee he seeks an £8,000 increase (to 113,000 pounds) for certain non‑interstate configurations to match heavier loads common just across the South Dakota border. Brandenburg cited farmers' need to move grain to nearby ethanol plants and said heavier permitted configurations would reduce trips and line wait times.
Pete Hanover of the North Dakota Farm Bureau told the committee the organization supports raising weight specifications on state highways to accommodate modern equipment. Brandenburg and supporters said appropriate tire and trailer configurations can allow higher weights without immediate failure of well‑constructed highways.
Wade…
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