MODOT Waives Weight Limits
St. JOSEPH, Mo – Gov. Jay Nixon Wednesday announced the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) will allow heavier than normal truck loads of farm goods on Missouri highways.
The agreement comes at a time of the harvest season when heavy rains impacted negatively farmers’ abilities to move crops from the fields.
“Many farmers are seeing record harvests this year,” Nixon said at a visit to St. Joseph animal nutrition company BioZyme, Inc. “But heavy rains over the last few weeks are making it harder for them to get these valuable crops out of the fields.”
While the waiver is in effect, farmers, private and for-hire motor carriers may carry up to 10 percent more than their licensed weight, a release from Nixon’s office states.
The waiver is in effect for the next 60 days, the release indicated.
However, motor carriers are limited to a loaded, gross weight no greater than 10 percent more than the licensed weight of the commercial motor vehicle; transport of commodities from farm to another facility, transportation between facilities and empty returns on non-interstate highways; a 30 mph speed limit while crossing bridges, and the operator must center the truck between two lanes of the bridge and yield to oncoming traffic, according to the release.
“Agriculture is the backbone of Missouri’s economy,” Nixon said. “Today’s action once again demonstrates our commitment to supporting our farm families as they continue to feed, fuel and clothe the world.”