Georgia officials say bridges cannot support weight limit allowed by new law

Georgia officials recently stated that more than 700 bridges across the state cannot handle increased weight limits approved earlier this year by lawmakers. 

Gov. Brian Kemp signed raised the limit on state roads from 80,000 pounds for trucks. One of Kemp's reasons for raising the limit was to allow hauling of heavier commodities including logs and farm products. 

Included in the number of bridges officials claim cannot support the weight are 306 state-owned bridges and 427 local bridges.

Deputy Chief Engineer Andrew Heath told the State Transportation Board on Wednesday that the Georgia Department of Transportation and local governments will post signs with weight restrictions on the additional bridges by Sept. 2, reported The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Before the higher weight limit was approved, the newspaper reported that that transportation officials said 1,363 of Georgia’s nearly 15,000 bridges could not safely withstand maximum weights

The heavier trucks can only travel on local roads and state highways, not interstates. They're also supposed to stay out of 13 core counties in metro Atlanta and stay within 150 miles (240 kilometers) of their home base.

The higher weight limits expire on July 1, 2025, part of a compromise in the legislative session. 

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Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press