Maine: Sen. Elizabeth Schneider

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine’s elected officials are continuing their campaigns for a federal exemption that would allow heavy tractor-trailers to use Interstate 95 rather than have to drive on back roads and through downtown areas.

Maine’s congressional delegation has been battling unsuccessfully for years to convince their colleagues in Washington, D.C., to allow trucks weighing up to 100,000 pounds to stay on I-95 north of Augusta. Currently, trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds must switch to local roads after leaving the Maine Turnpike, which is exempt.

In his latest attempt at an exemption, Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, introduced a bill that would give states the authority to set weight limits in the interstate system in order to make them consistent with surrounding states.