Mexican trucks get increased U.S. access

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Mexican truckers soon will have full access to U.S. highways under a new agreement between the United States and Mexico.

Mexican-registered trucks currently are allowed to make deliveries in the United States only within special commercial zones along the U.S.-Mexican border that extend up to 70 miles into U.S. territory.

But Thursday,the first Mexican trucks were inspected by U.S. safety officials under a Bush administration test program that will allow up to 100 Mexican trucking companies to operate beyond the commercial zones.

There will be no limit to the number of trucks that a participating company can operate in the United States, provided the vehicles and their drivers pass safety inspections.

For the time being, the rigs won't be allowed past the commercial zones. However, Transportation Department officials say the "on-site safety audits" are among the last obstacles for allowing full access to U.S. roads and that the trucks could receive final clearance to U.S. roads within the next two months.

The program also will allow an equal number of U.S. trucking companies to make deliveries and pickups in Mexico later this year. No U.S. companies have applied to drive into Mexico so far, Transportation Department officials said.

"The United States has never shied away from opportunities to compete, to open new markets and to trade with the world," Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters said yesterday. "Now that safety and security programs are in place, the time has come for us to move forward on this long-standing promise with Mexico."

Mexican trucks were allowed free rein on U.S. roads before 1982, when the United States began confining them to the commercial zones around major border towns.

Access to all U.S. highways was promised by 2000 under the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement, as was access through Mexico for U.S. carriers.

That aspect of NAFTA was stalled by President Clinton, who said Mexican trucks didn't meet U.S. safety and environmental standards.