Ohio Admin Seeking Heavier Weight Limits

Posted 14 years ago

A new plan in Ohio calls for certain truck/trailer combinations to carry heavier loads on highways to increase export business.  The plan, pushed by agriculture lobbyists, wants the weight limit on trucks carrying intermational shipping containers loaded with grain or any other product to be raised to 94,000 lbs from 80,000 lbs. 

One limitation according to Scott Varner, ODOT spokesman, is that the new weight limit would not apply to out of state trucks and the truck can only travel on state highways and bridges that can handle the extra weight. The latter comes about in light of a 2009 study by the Ohio Department of Transportation.  The study shows that overweight trucks/trailers cause about $144 million in pavement damage to Ohio highways each year. 

Supporters want the new rule approved by a panel of state lawmakers by October, just in time for the harvest.