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State Representative Tony Cornish
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4240
For more information contact: Jason Wenisch 651-296-2317
NEWS RELEASE
CORNISH’S TEN-TON PER AXLE LEGISLATION APPROVED BY MINNESOTA HOUSE
ST. PAUL – In an effort to create conformity with the weight system on state roadways, the Minnesota House has approved a bill sponsored by State Representative Tony Cornish (R-Good Thunder) that establishes a ten-ton per axle weight system that would be utilized on all Minnesota roads. Cornish successfully amended his bill to an Omnibus Transportation package which was approved by the Minnesota House on May 16.
“The main benefit to correcting the obsolete law is to immediately have thousands of truck drivers “legal” with their 10-ton loading on not-restricted local roads,” Cornish said. “The majority of the local law enforcement agencies have higher priorities than to provide staff for enforcing truck weights.”
Cornish said State highways are currently “Ten-ton & Post Down”, while local roadways are currently 9-ton unless posted up or down, which creates a non-uniform set of regulations. Under the bill, local jurisdictions would erect signs posting lower axle weight limits for their roadway segments that they determine inadequate for 10-ton loading. The proposal does not expect or encourage any local roadway to take additional axle weight over what is currently imposed on it.
Cornish said the bill is imperative for economic development, and that most roads are currently being constructed at ten-tons.
“Different areas within Minnesota’s commodity production are increasing, meaning truck hauling is vital towards maintaining that economic growth,” Cornish said. “Hauling a light load on local roads to reach state highways creates a significant economical hardship.”
Cornish said this idea came from a county engineer. He added that the I 90 Group of Legislators had the "Ten ton and Post Down" legislation as one of its six bipartisan goals to accomplish this legislative session for enhancing economic development.
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