A trio of senators introduced a bill that would allow states to increase the maximum weight for trucks operating on their interstates beyond the federal limit of 80,000 pounds.

Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) said in introducing the Safe Efficient Transportation Act that states would be allowed to “opt in” and increase their weight limits to 97,000 pounds.

The legislation is identical to a bill introduced in the House last March by Reps. Michael Michaud (D-Maine) and Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio) and would require the new, heavier trucks to have six axles in order to diffuse the added weight.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority board are likely to discuss a proposal for outsourcing manual toll collection services at their next meeting July 27. A task force established by the New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has recommended the contracting-out of cash toll collection as an interim step to cashless all-electronic tolling.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission says it is proceeding to construction of an all-electronic toll (AET) interchange on the mainline of the Turnpike northwest of Philadelphia. The project is located near PA29 about the middle of a 14 mile (23km) long stretch of the Turnpike between the Downington (MP312) and Valley Forge (MP326) interchanges.