Georgia considers heavier trucks despite official opposition

Logging company owner Toby McDowell of Locust Grove, Georgia, right, testifies in favor of higher weight limits on roads and bridges on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023 at the state capitol in Atlanta. An industry-backed bill would raise truck weight limits in Georgia to 90,000 pounds. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)

It’s the heavyweight lobbying battle of this year’s Georgia legislative session: Should the state allow heavier trucks on its roads?

The House Transportation Committee voted 18-11 on Thursday to advance a House bill that would increase the weight limit for large trucks to 90,000 pounds (40,800 kilograms). Now, most trucks are limited to 80,000 pounds, the same as the federal limit on interstate highways.

The bill advanced to the full House after a five-and-a-half hour hearing, despite a furious counterattack from the Georgia Department of Transportation.