On June 23, the Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) sent a letter to Illinois' congressional delegation urging lawmakers to oppose a provision in the federal surface transportation reauthorization bill that would allow participating states to permit commercial trucks weighing up to 91,000 pounds on interstate highways.
The provision was added during consideration of the House's bipartisan BUILD America 250 Act (H.R. 8870) and would establish a voluntary pilot program allowing states to authorize six-axle trucks weighing up to 91,000 pounds, an increase from the current federal interstate weight limit of 80,000 pounds. Supporters argue that the additional axle distributes weight more evenly, improves freight efficiency and reduces the number of truck trips needed to move goods.
In its letter, ISACo emphasized that while the proposal applies to interstate highways, the impacts would extend well beyond the interstate system.
Illinois counties maintain approximately 90 percent of the state's roadway mileage outside of state highways and are responsible for roughly half of Illinois' bridges. ISACo warned that allowing heavier trucks could accelerate pavement deterioration, shorten bridge service life and increase maintenance costs that ultimately fall on county taxpayers.
The BUILD America 250 Act is Congress' five-year surface transportation reauthorization proposal, authorizing approximately $580 billion for highways, bridges, transit, rail and highway safety programs through fiscal year 2031. The legislation was approved by the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on May 22 by a bipartisan vote of 62-2 following an extensive markup process in which more than 100 amendments were considered. The 91,000-pound truck pilot program was adopted as one of those amendments.
The committee's approval represents an important step in the legislative process, but the bill has not yet been enacted into law. It must still be considered by the full U.S. House of Representatives, reconciled with legislation developed by the United States Senate, and ultimately signed by the President before becoming law. Surface transportation authorization expires on September 30, 2026, making congressional action later this year likely.