Georgia lawmakers approve heavy truck bill
The Georgia General Assembly has approved a bill to allow certain 88,000-pound trucks on roadways around the state. The measure has moved to the governor.
Trucks traversing Georgia roadways now are limited to a maximum gross weight of 80,000 pounds. Exceptions are made for haulers moving products that include forestry, live poultry, cotton, feed, concrete, and solid waste. Affected loads are permitted to carry goods up to 88,000 pounds.
The final version of HB189 allows for a 10% variance of the 80,000-pound weight limit for agriculture and forestry hauls. The exception permits for 88,000-pound loads.
Affected truck loads are limited to travel up to 150 miles from the farm or other processing facility where the load originated. The 13 metro Atlanta counties are excluded from the higher weight limit.
Additionally, local law enforcement would be authorized to write tickets for overweight heavy trucks. Currently, only the state Motor Carrier Compliance Division is authorized to issue overweight citations.
Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, said truck weights are part of a larger issue in the state.
“We are at a crossroads with our funding and with some of the other underlying issues that really serve as a backdrop to this entire conversation,” Dolezal said during a previous hearing.
HB189 authorizes the heavier loads through June 2025.
Local enforcement of truck weights will share the sunset date. Enforcement authority does not apply to state highways and interstates.
OOIDA concern about heavy trucks
OOIDA President Todd Spencer has said higher weight limits historically are not a “winner” for most in trucking.
“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.”
GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry previously shared the same point with lawmakers. He said state and local governments will need to spend billions of dollars more than they already do for road maintenance. LL