SW Iowa Times

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an extension to a proclamation waiving certain weight limits for trucks involving grain transportation, which comes into effect immediately and runs through Jan. 29, according to a statement from the governor's office.

The proclamation said that grain harvest in 2021 had “significant yields” in Iowa and due to concerns over a timely harvest, there has been a large amount of truck traffic to collect, transport and deliver the harvest. The proclamation was an effort to not hinder the production and transportation efforts across the state.

“The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage and stover to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation,” the statement said.

The release added that the proclamation applies to shipments on all Iowa highways, but does not include the interstate systems. It also applies to those that do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table of the Iowa Code by more than 12%, do not go over the axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with all posted limits on roads and bridges.

The proclamation said the state Department of Transportation will be the entity monitoring this as to “assure the public’s safety and facilitate the movement of trucks involved in our state’s harvest.”