TORONTO, Ont. – The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) appeared before the Michigan House of Representatives Transportation Committee in support of House Bill 5205, sponsored by Representative Jud Gilbert.

The Bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow for the operation of semi-trailers with three axles on state highways.

The Bill, an OTA-lead initiative, received 14-0 support from the bi-partisan committee. The next step in the process is to have a similar Bill introduced into the Senate.

OTA explained to the committee that Michigan is currently the only state in the U.S. not allowing this configuration, and it’s hampering efficient international and state-to-state trade, according to the Canadian fleet group.

OTA met prior to the committee meeting with several Michigan-based groups to confirm their support of the Bill, including road builders, manufacturers and the Michigan Trucking Association. The Michigan Department of Transportation appeared before the transportation committee after OTA, and while they couldn’t officially support the bill, they did recognize the merits of OTA’s arguments for the introduction of 53-ft. three axle trailers.