Thursday, Georgia’s House Transportation Committee voted 18-11, advancing a House bill increasing the weight limit of large trucks from 80,000 pounds to 90,000 pounds. 80,000 pounds is currently the same as the federal limit on interstate highways.
After a five-and-a-half hour hearing, despite a furious counterattack from the Georgia Department of Transportation, the bill advanced to the full House.
“The fact is allowing heavier weights on the highways and bridges shortens the lifecycle of our bridges and pavements,” Meg Pirkle, the department’s chief engineer, told committee members, as state Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry sat next to her.