Several in Congress ask DOT to revisit 2012 truck-impact study

Several congressional lawmakers sent a letter on Thursday to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), urging it to take another look at the results of a study done in 2012 examining the impact that commercial trucks have on highways and roads.

U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Reps. James McGovern (D-MA) and Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) sent the letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, asking him to review the 2012 report anew and raising concerns over the methodology and data used.

“The deteriorating nature of our infrastructure can hardly be overstated,” the letter said. "As the administration noted in its proposed budget for fiscal year 2016, ‘65 percent of America’s roads are rated in less-than-good condition.' DOT has taken several steps to conduct the study, and we appreciate DOT’s focus on the issue…as we noted in letters last Congress, there appeared to be conflicts of interest in the selection of the study’s contractor and the bases of its findings on flawed data and poor methodology. These issues must be addressed and corrected.”

The lawmakers said it was “troubling” that the study recommends heavier and bigger trucks, which could lead to more potholes and “even greater problems,” such as environmental damage, safety risks and economic harm.