This week, the Georgia House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill which seeks to give 88,000-pound trucks unrestricted access on state roads. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has been encouraging truckers from across Georgia to contact their local lawmakers to express concerns for this new legislation.
Currently, the weight limit on trucks traveling the state’s roadways restricts them to no more than 80,000 pounds. However, this regulation does not extend to haulers carrying various goods such as forest products and cotton – allowing these exceptions in an effort to support local businesses that rely heavily upon transportation of their product for economic growth and sustainability.
Following its initial passage by the House Transportation Committee, HB189 was sent back for revisions after raising some eyebrows among state agencies, law enforcement and local governments.
The bill has stirred up controversy, as it would allow for heavier loads on trucks and commodities of all types. The new law, if passed into effect, will permit a 12.5% variance from the current 80k weight limit – potentially allowing immense truckloads reaching 90k pounds hit roads across the state.
Todd Spencer, president of OOIDA has expressed concerns, stating that higher weight limits are historically not a “winner” for most in the trucking industry.
“While popular with shippers adding heavier weights on state and county roads is bad public policy,” he said. “You end up with increased wear and tear on roads and bridges not adequately constructed for those loads.
“Any perceived economic benefit going to truckers is quickly eroded by competition leaving truckers with higher costs for fuel and increased maintenance.”
OOIDA has recently addressed its members in a call to action, warning that proposed legislation could put an extra strain on state and municipal governments of Georgia who are already strapped for cash when it comes to maintaining roadways.
Points of concern voiced by OOIDA were echoed by many of the more than 100 state and local officials who spoke at a recent hearing.
Meg Pirkle, chief engineer with the Georgia Department of Transportation, warned that if a bill is passed into law as written load restrictions would be required on over 1,400 bridges statewide – doubling the number of what exists currently. Adding these additional restrictions means larger trucks would need to detour on smaller roads costing businesses valuable time and resources.
GDOT Commissioner, Russel McMurry, added that local governments would need to spend billions of dollars more than what they currently do for road maintenance.
Advocates representing poultry, forestry, and other industries counter that higher fuel costs, inflations, and tight labor markets call for the change, adding that it would also help reduce emissions.
Last week, the House passed legislation allowing variances of 10% (up to 88,000lbs) for logging and agricultural hauls. Sponsored by Rep. Steven Meeks (R-Screven), HB189 was approved in a 93-81 vote – clearing its way into the Senate’s hands. In addition, truck drivers carrying goods from farms or processing facilities will be limited to a travel range of 250 miles from the place of origination for products like timber, granite, concrete and solid waste.
“One thing that we do is bring Georgia in line with at least three other states around us: Tennessee, Alabama and Florida,” Meeks said on the House floor.
“We have tried to make this more palatable for the industry, as well as our communities in which trucks carry goods to the market from their fields.”
An executive order previously issued by Gov. Brian Kemp during the pandemic to allow trucks weighing up to 95,000 pounds to operate on state and local roads has been extended several times with the governor citing the need to keep supply chains moving.
Source: Land Line
