Georgia Shippers’ Coalition Pushes for Higher Truck Weights

A coalition of Georgia businesses are pushing for higher truck weight limits, the Associated Press reported.

The group wants federal and state officials to allow limits of up to 97,000 pounds, from the current 80,000-pound limit for big rigs, AP said in an article published on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s website.

The coalition of shippers includes Coca-Cola, Georgia-Pacific and International Paper, AP reported, citing the Morris News Service.

The group says the move would help the economy and the environment, although some state officials worry about safety and maintenance issues if heavier trucks are allowed on Georgia roads, AP said.

American Trucking Associations and the Truckload Carriers Association last month backed the trucking industry’s drive to raise truck weight limits by endorsing both an 88,000-pound limit for 5-axle tractor-trailers and a 97,000-pound limit for 6-axle configurations.