Missouri farmers will be harvesting some kind of a grain crop in a few weeks. But the summer drought is complicating what they can do with whatever they’re able to get out of their fields.
The state transportation department knows that grain elevators are going to have to make room for the harvest this fall. But one of the main means of shipment has been crippled by the drought. Barge industry business has been stunted this summer by low river levels and narrower channels. Part of the Mississippi River have been closed because of low water.
The situation is going to put more pressure on the trucking industry, which is why the department is easing its load limits on grain trucks. Department spokesman DeAnne Rickabaugh says trucks will be able to carry 10 percent more than usual so grain can be moved from elevators to processing points, creating space in the elevators for this year’s harvest.
No special permits will be needed. But there are restrictions on where the trucks can travel. They have to obey all posted bridge weight limits and slow down when crossing bridges. And there are some limits on what roads can be used.
No travel is allowed on Missouri interstate highways or national defense highway routes:
No travel is allowed on any highways starting with the letter “I.”
Travel also is not allowed on U. S 60 from U. S. 65 in Springfield to U. S. 63 in Cabool.
It is not allowed on U. S. 63 from U. S. 60 in Cabool to the Arkansas line.
Travel is not allowed on U. S. 65 between I-70 and U. S. 60 in Springfield.
Travel is not allowed on U. S. 71 from Kansas City to Arkansas.
The heavier loads are not allowed on U. S. 50 and Missouri 23 from Whiteman AFB to I-470 in Kansas City.
They also are not allowed on Mo. 17 and U.S. 63 from Fort Leonard Wood to U.S. 60.
