News

WASHINGTON—Local officials are urging members of Congress to steer clear of any provisions that would allow longer or heavier trucks to operate on roads. A group of 1,000 local leaders, including current mayors and county officials, argued in a letter to lawmakers that allowing heavier or longer trucks on roads will destroy infrastructure that their governments cannot afford to repair. “Allowing heavier and longer trucks will most certainly set us back in our efforts,” the letter reads. “Longer and heavier…

Over 1,000 local government leaders – including mayors, county engineers and public works directors – wrote a letter this week to Congress asking policymakers to oppose any increases in truck size or weight, including longer double-trailer trucks and heavier single-trailer trucks. The letter, entitled “Bigger Trucks: Bad for America’s Local Communities,” was delivered on Thursday, Feb. 22, to Capitol Hill offices. Click here to read the letter. “The letter sends a powerful message to lawmakers in Washington to maintain commonsense…

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia is exploring the option of bringing heavier trucks to its roads. Right now, most tractor-trailers can weigh in at a maximum of 80,000 pounds. Lawmakers want to know what would happen at 91,000 pounds. Del. T. Scott Garrett (R-Lynchburg) introduced HB1276. It calls for VDOT to form a work group to study the impact of heavier trucks. The workgroup would examine things like safety, congestion and road wear and tear. It’s all in case Virginia opts to…

RICHMOND — Members of the House Transportation Committee approved a plan Thursday to study allowing heavier trucks on Virginia’s roads. Del. Scott Garrett, R-Lynchburg, proposed legislation for Virginia’s Department of Transportation to convene a work group to examine safety, efficiency and infrastructure issues involved with allowing heavier tractor-trailers on state roads. Garrett’s proposal would gather stakeholders to study the impact to the commonwealth if Virginia were to participate in a federal pilot program that would allow six-axle trucks weighing up…

Lawmakers in Virginia are considering allowing a vehicle called “Super Trucks” onto I-81. These Super Trucks would be able to carry 90,000 pounds of cargo or more, and that could mean being able to tow not one, not two, but three trailers behind them. Driving along side of tractor trailers is an everyday situation while traveling on I-81. “I’ve had many times where I’ve had one infront of you, one behind you, and one on the side of you,” said…

ROANOKE, Va. – Heavier trucks could soon be hitting Virginia highways. State lawmakers are considering a proposal to participate in a federal pilot program that would test the use and effect of heavier trucks. Roanoke County Police Chief Howard Hall is one of many law enforcement officers concerned about the new bill making its way through the General Assembly. “This is a bad idea,” Hall said. The proposal would raise the maximum legal weight of trucks on Virginia highways by…

Trucks traveling Virginia’s roads could get about 10,000 pounds heavier if legislation gets the OK from the General Assembly. Virginia would be able to take part in a potential federal pilot program allowing for six-axle, 91,000-pound trucks. That’s up from the current weight limit of 80,000 pounds in the commonwealth, though exceptions in many industries like logging have allowed for more. House bill 1276 and companion Senate bill 504 have pitted community organizations, the railroad industry and some truckers against…

Lawmakers in Virginia are considering allowing a vehicle called “Super Trucks” onto I-81. These Super Trucks would be able to carry 90,000 pounds of cargo or more, and that could mean being able to tow not one, not two, but three trailers behind them. Driving along side of tractor trailers is an everyday situation while traveling on I-81. “I’ve had many times where I’ve had one infront of you, one behind you, and one on the side of you,” said…

NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) —Should heavier trucks be allowed on Virginia roads? One House and one Senate bill would make it so Virginia could be part of any federal program allowing heavier trucks on the highways. Delegate Scott Garrett sponsored the House bill. 13News Now received his talking points on House Bill 1276. This bill could permit trucks with 6 axles to carry up to 91,000 pounds on interstates. The current maximum weight is 80,000 pounds for 5 axle trucks. Spokesman…

Trucks traveling Virginia’s roads could get about 10,000 pounds heavier if legislation gets the OK from the General Assembly. Virginia would be able to take part in a potential federal pilot program that allows for six-axle, 91,000-pound trucks. That’s up from the current weight limit of 80,000 pounds in the commonwealth, though exceptions in many industries like logging have allowed for more. HB1276 and companion bill SB504 have pitted community organizations, the railroad industry and some truckers against companies that…