Bigger trucks? Not for North Idaho

As a mayor, I am often asked what my biggest challenge is. The answer is clear: public safety.

My first responsibility to Post Falls is to promote policies, facilities and activities that keep our residents safe. Being located right on Interstate 90 can make highway safety a challenge at times. SB 1117, if passed, will undoubtedly increase the risks for Post Falls residents and travelers through North Idaho.

Post Falls has opposed legislation such as SB 1117 in the past and continues to oppose it today.

I also serve as chairman of the Kootenai County Metropolitan Planning Organization. Just last week we voted unanimously to oppose expansion. As an MPO, we are charged with looking out for the region regarding transportation issues. The Kootenai County MPO has been an active voice in opposing 129,000 pound trucks in north Idaho over the years and continues to do so. SB 1117 proposes to permanently increase the legal weight of big trucks in North Idaho by 23,500 pounds to a staggering 129,000 pounds. The current legal weight limit is 105,500 pounds. To put this into perspective, it's like adding the weight and the impact of an additional eight passenger cars to an already big semi-truck. The safety risk is enormous. Some of the highways under consideration for these super-sized trucks run through our downtowns and school zones. Putting more weight on trucks will increase the wear and tear on trucks, wearing out critical components like brakes and suspensions more quickly. The extra weight will lead to longer stopping distances and make the trucks harder to control. Putting these trucks on our roads is a recipe for disaster.

These trucks would also do more damage to roads and bridges without paying for it. According to a 2010 study done for the Idaho Transportation Department shows that these 129,000-pound trucks only pay for 60 percent of the damage they cause. Any money we have to spend fixing the damage done by these bigger trucks would be money we don't have - it would have to come from a tax increase or take away from other priorities.

The debate over allowing these bigger trucks continues in Boise. It is clear to me that allowing even-bigger trucks would be a bad thing for Post Falls. I oppose SB 1117 and I hope you will let state legislators know that you do, as well.

Clay Larkin is mayor of Post Falls.