Over 700 bridges in the state of Georgia are unable to support the increased truck weight limits recently enacted by state legislators. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), along with local authorities, will be placing signage indicating weight restrictions on these bridges by September 2nd, according to a report from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. This information was shared with the State Transportation Board by Deputy Chief Engineer Andrew Heath.

The affected bridges comprise 306 state-maintained structures and an additional 427 bridges under local jurisdiction.

The new law, signed by Governor Brian Kemp, permits trucks carrying specific goods, such as agricultural products and timber, to weigh up to 88,000 pounds. Previously, the limit on state roads was 80,000 pounds with a potential variance allowing up to 84,000 pounds. Even with the prior weight limit, transportation authorities had identified 1,363 out of nearly 15,000 bridges in Georgia as incapable of safely handling maximum weight loads.

The heavier trucks are restricted to local and state highways, excluding interstates. They are also prohibited from operating within 13 counties in the Atlanta metropolitan area and must remain within a 150-mile radius of their base of operations.

The increased weight allowance is set to expire on July 1, 2025, a compromise resulting from a significant legislative debate. This debate saw logging, farming, and trucking industries pitted against local and county governments, as well as the GDOT, who strongly opposed increasing truck weights. Some lawmakers hope to secure additional funding for statewide transportation enhancements before the expiration date.

Proponents of the increased weight limit argued it would reduce costs by enabling the transport of more goods per trip. Loggers, in particular, asserted that this change could be crucial for profitability in their low-margin sector.

Conversely, opponents expressed concern that heavier trucks would accelerate road and bridge deterioration, leading to costly repairs. They also raised concerns about potential safety issues due to increased stopping distances.

Prior to the new law, Governor Kemp had permitted heavier trucks with special permits to haul up to 95,000 pounds under a supply chain emergency order. This order, which had been repeatedly renewed, expired on March 11, reverting the weight limit to 84,000 pounds.