“The non-profit Coalition Against Bigger Trucks report examined three scenarios in which Congress relaxes the current federal truck weight limit of 80,000 pounds. One looked at the effect on bridges of allowing trucks up to 88,000 pounds, another up to 91,000 pounds and another up to 97,000 pounds.

Should Congress increase the weight limit of trucks to 88,000 pounds, the report concluded that 65,157 bridges will be at risk of severe damage, costing $70.6 billion to replace. If Congress approves a limit of 91,000 pounds, the number of bridges at risk jumps to 68,654, with a replacement cost of $78.7 billion. Should Congress approve trucks weighing 97,000 pounds, 82,457 bridges are at risk, costing $98.6 billion to replace.

All of this is before considering the risks to motorist safety of having huge trucks on the roads.

The states with the highest potential replacement costs include Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia and Washington.”

Read More+