Some officials around Mississippi have expressed dissatisfaction with recent changes in harvest weight permits for commercial vehicles, saying the changes drastically reduce the number of bridges in the state that can be used by the trucks.
But some members of the Mississippi Legislature say the changes were made to help the state’s trucking industry – not to hinder it.
During the 2018 Mississippi Legislative Session, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 2418, which increased the allowable tandem axle weights by up to 10 percent for trucks. With the load limit now at 84,000 pounds, officials from the Mississippi Department of Transportation say they were forced to re-evaluate all bridges on the state-owned system.
After that analysis, the number of bridges with posted weight restrictions in the state increased from 125 to 302, as the new tolerances would increase weight on some loads by up to 4,000 pounds.
Mike Tagert, commissioner for MDOT’s Northern Transportation District, said in a statement the new regulations will force many trucks to find alternate routes with bridges that can sustain heavier loads.
“This increase in posted bridges will have a severe impact on commerce and travel around the state,” he said. “This is effectively restricting commerce, which is the last thing Mississippi needs right now.”
Two bridges in Forrest County – one at Country Club Road and U.S. 49 and one at Black Creek and U.S. 49 – are included in the new postings. No additional Lamar County bridges have been posted.
Rep. Larry Byrd, R-Petal, said the new weight guidelines were put in place to help the state’s top two industries: poultry and forestry.
“These trucks that supply these growers are heavy,” he said. “There are people in Greene County who would like to get into the poultry business, but because the bridges are not up to standard in Greene County, they can’t.”
Missy McGee, R-Hattiesburg, said she feels passing the new guidelines was the right thing to do.
“Much of the pushback on this particular bill stems from, I believe, the frustration of not having a plan for funding infrastructure,” she said. “While I wholeheartedly believe that the Legislature needs to reach an agreement on a meaningful investment in roads and bridges, we cannot halt basic allowances for commerce.
“Senate Bill 2418 represented a minor change in weight limits per axle for trucks that are loaded in the field, in situations where no scales are available. I believe it was the right decision.”
David Hogan, president of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, said the board wants the farmers and loggers to get their products to market just as much as anybody.
“But when the state increases the load limits on roads and bridges, but cuts the funding for infrastructure work, it’s frustrating at the local level,” he said. “The board is hopeful that the governor is going to call a special session and address the infrastructure problems that we have across this state, both at the local and state level.
“Here in Forrest County, we still have 60 wood pylon bridges that we do a good job of maintaining, but in tip-top shape, they’re only rated for 55,000 pounds. The new load rating is 84,000 pounds, and the local taxpayer is going to have to have some help either from the state or the federal level.”
