DAYTON, OHIO – At least nine states are considering proposals to separate big rigs from cars on interstate highways, hoping to reduce congestion, improve safety, and increase commerce by moving goods faster, according to the Web site www.wlwt.com.

Ohio, Nevada, and other states want to build or designate truck-only lanes on various stretches of interstate highways, though they’re not yet sure how they would pay for them. Tolls are one option, public-private partnerships another. Georgia is considering truck-only lanes on a 27-mile stretch of Interstate 75 northwest of Atlanta and a 20-mile stretch of Interstate 285.

Proposals for truck-only lanes are cropping up because freight being carried by trucks is expected to skyrocket at a time when population and passenger traffic continue to increase. Nevada is pushing for truck-only lanes in areas along Interstate 80 and Interstate 15, which carry cargo east through Nevada from the ports of Oakland and Los Angeles, respectively.

Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri are suggesting a truck-only lane on a 789-mile stretch of Interstate 70. A proposal to improve Interstate 10, a 2,650-mile highway that runs from Florida to California crossing eight states, identifies several areas that could become truck-only bypass highways. They include Phoenix and Houston, according to www.wlwt.com.