“The legislature is in full swing in Austin and it has been brought to my attention that there is a bill or two that will be filed concerning the increasing of weight of commercial trucks from the current 80,000 lbs. to 100,000 lbs., which is an increase of 10 tons. I am totally against any such increase for the following reasons: trucks with this weight will increase the danger to motorists, increase the damage to our streets, highways and bridges, and will cost taxpayers money. I expect these bills to be filed as they were in 2017.
Along with the danger to motorists on our streets and highways, with a 100,000 lb. vehicle traveling at speeds of 70 mph plus with the same brake systems, heavier trucks would cause significant infrastructure damage to Texas roads and bridges. Currently, road damage from oil and gas operations in Texas is estimated at $1.5 to $2 billion each year. And 47 percent of bridges in Texas are rated either fair or poor condition and cannot accommodate heavier trucks. These bridges would need to be reinforced or replaced, costing Texas taxpayers millions of dollars more.”