“A study by the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks has a warning for Congress…don’t approve legislation to increase the maximum truck weight or length limits on federal highways. The Coalition had similar statistics on 2023 when it said any increase to 88,000 pound trucks would put 2,854 bridges in Oklahoma at risk and the replacement costs would total $1,017,901, 368. A move to 91,000 pound trucks would damage 2,961 Oklahoma bridges and their replacement cost would total $1,130,386,195. If 97,000 pound…
Land Line | NTSB found Key Bridge exceedingly vulnerable before collapse
The Coalition Against Bigger Trucks recently released its study on the structural and financial ramifications on bridges due to any increase in maximum truck weights.Currently, truck weight limits are set at 80,000 pounds, but an increase to 91,000 pounds has been proposed in Congress. “These at-risk bridges represent a sizable portion of the nation’s bridge infrastructure, located on local roads and highways that are critical for everyday transportation and commerce,” the Coalition’s study said. More than 80,000 bridges with a…
New Study: Nation’s Bridges at Risk if Congress Allows Bigger Trucks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 17, 2025CONTACT: Emily DeLuca – 703-229-2134 New Study: Nation’s Bridges at Risk if Congress Allows Bigger TrucksStates hit hardest: : Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia and Washington. ALEXANDRIA, VA. (March 17, 2025) — A new study released by the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks found that congressional proposals to allow heavier tractor trailers on highways would cause major damage to the nation’s local bridges if enacted into law. Updating an…
Land Line | Study: Increasing truck weights would risk local bridges and cost billions
A new study suggests that increasing the maximum truck weight to 91,000 pounds would put tens of thousands of local bridges at risk and cost as much as $98.6 billion. The current weight limit is 80,000 pounds. In recent years, there have been efforts in Congress to increase the limit to 91,000 pounds. The Coalition Against Bigger Trucks said that the weight increase would have devastating effects on local bridges across the nation. A new study from the organization found…
WHMI 93.5 FM (Livingston, MI) | Hamburg Twp. Board Adopts Resolution Opposing Truck Size & Weight Increase
n support of CABT’s advocacy program, Hamburg Township in Michigan has adopted a resolution opposing increases to truck size and weight: “The Hamburg Township Board has approved a resolution opposing any increases in truck size and weight due to safety concerns and to help prevent damage to roads…. The resolution goes on to state “the water table is as little as 18 inches below the roadway in Hamburg Township, which creates difficulties during construction and maintenance. These roads would be…
Land Line | Increased truck weights would damage local roads and bridges, lawmaker says
This month, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s Highways and Transit Subcommittee held a critical hearing, “America Builds: A Review of Programs to Address Roadway Safety,” an important opportunity to discuss the condition of roadway safety across our nation. During the hearing, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) raised serious concerns about the risks of heavier trucks, referencing the @Coalition Against Bigger Trucks Local Bridge Study that found that over 72,000 local bridges would be put at risk by 91,000-pound trucks, and…
Chattanooga Times Free Press (TN) | Opinion: Proposed congressional legislation threatens Tennesseans, state infrastructure
“As chairman of the Tennessee General Assembly House Transportation Committee, I have major safety and infrastructure concerns about proposed federal legislation that would increase commercial truck size and weight on our nation’s highways…. I am working with members of our congressional delegation to help ensure this doesn’t become law, and I cannot keep silent about legislation that would jeopardize the lives of your family and mine.” Read more here+…
The Beaumont Enterprise (TX) | Opinion: Larger, heavier commercial trucks threaten public safety
“With ports in Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange and Sabine Pass, Interstate 10, highways US 90, US 69, US-96 and US 287, state highways Texas 73, Texas 87 and Texas 105 and several farm-to-market roads, Jefferson County experiences a large volume of commercial truck traffic daily. …. Driving on deteriorated roads costs Texas motorists $17.8 billion a year — $948 per motorist — in the form of additional repairs, accelerated vehicle depreciation, and increased fuel consumption and tire wear.” Read more…
WBOC-TV (Ocean City, Maryland) | Wicomico County Sends Letter of Opposition to US Senate
“Wicomico County Council sent a letter of opposition to Senator Ben Cardin, voicing concern over a bill to increase the maximum weight limit for tractor trailers from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds. Wicomico Council Vice President Jeff Merritt spearheaded the letter in Wicomico County… ….In October, the Worcester County Council sent a similar letter. Council President Chip Bertino says it can be a challenge to fix the roads, without the heavier trucks. “We are having a difficult time as it…
Ocean City Today (MD) | County asked to oppose heavy truck federal regs
“CABT has asked for, and received, letters of support from the Worcester County Board of Commissioners and Sheriff Matt Crisafulli to oppose HB 3372 and HB 2948. The Commissioners approved the mailing of a letter to Sen. Ben Cardin that opposes the unfunded legislative proposals. “Increased sizes and weights will have a significant effect on our county-maintained roads and infrastructure,” the commissioners’ letter says. “Not only do heavier trucks do enormous damage to our highways, but they also increase costs…