Statement:
From Sen. Brian Munzlinger on Decision to Waive Weight Limits for Farmers

JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, today issued a statement relating to MoDOT’s decision to help farmers by waiving weight limits during harvest season:

“I want to thank the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for making this decision. We have had one of the rainiest months in some time, and this extra rain can make the difference between a successful and a disastrous harvest for farmers. For the next 60 days, farmers will be allowed to carry up to 10 percent more than their licensed weight on Missouri highways.

According to MoDOT:
While the waiver is in effect, participating motor carriers are limited to:

• A loaded, gross weight no greater than 10 percent above the gross licensed weight of the commercial motor vehicle;
• Transport of commodities from the farm to another facility, transportation between facilities and empty return trips on non-interstate highways within the state; and
• When crossing a bridge, the driver must restrict the vehicle speed to no more than 30 miles per hour and must center the truck between two lanes of the bridge. The truck driver must yield to oncoming traffic.

Agriculture is our state’s No. 1 industry, and this waiver will allow farmers to deliver goods during harvest. I have spent two months trying to help get this waiver in place. Finally, the governor has allowed MoDOT to give it the green light. It was easier to get MoDOT to issue these types of waivers before the end of 2010, when the executive branch changed the process.

Thanks, again, to MoDOT for understanding the needs of Missouri’s farmers — and knowing how important the task is of feeding not only the nation, but the world, during a very trying harvest.”