Legislation to increase the limit on commercial truck weights in Georgia cleared a state House committee Thursday over the objections of local government officials, traffic safety advocates, and the Georgia Department of Transportation.
The House Transportation Committee approved the bill 18-11 following an afternoon-long hearing that lasted more than five hours. House Bill 189 would raise the legal limit on commercial truck weights in Georgia from 80,000 pounds to 90,000.
In reality, trucks weighing up to 95,000 pounds already are being allowed on Georgia roads under an emergency order signed by the governor at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Opponents of the measure say it will increase the costs that local governments have to pay for road and bridge repair. Other opponents brought up safety concerns. The bill nor faces a vote by the full house.
