one year and 100 percent by the end of the third year. Fines will range from about $150 for

first time offenders which have failed to have their trucks inspected to $15,000 for hauling over

the maximum legal limit without a special permit. Fines escalate for repeat offenders and

include suspensions of vehicle license plates.

 The revision of weight restrictions and enforcement efforts are necessary first steps in

slowing and eventually reversing the deterioration of the Mexican road system. However, these

measures will be costly, for both the public and private sectors, and success is not assured.

Between now and the turn of the century, the Mexican Government intends to spend $1.56

billion U.S. for highway rehabilitation, safety, and vehicle weight and size regulation (the

Highway Rehabilitation and Traffic Safety Project). This will include rehabilitation of 59

percent of the federal system as well as education and enforcement; Particularly considering the

size of the Mexican economy, this commitment is impressive. However, given the poor state

of the roadways at present and continuing wear and tear with increasing traffic, it is questionable

if the commitment will be sufficient to rectify the situation. If enforcement of the new weight

limits is not successful, it is doubtful if the rehabilitation project will do more than slow the rate

of deterioration. On the other hand, if the weight enforcement efforts are successful, congestion

will increase as more vehicles will be required haul the same volume of freight.

 As the new weight regulations come into force, carriers will tend to buy lighter

equipment. Indeed, some carriers have already begun purchasing U.S. trailers as they conform

to both U.S. and the new Mexican regulations. Replacing much of the Mexican trailer fleet will

put financial strains on the trucking industry. Moreover, if roadway conditions do not improve,

the transition will likely precipitate increased maintenance costs.14