A proposed change to truck weight regulations is expected to be voted on by members of the Alabama Senate on Tuesday.

According to the state’s logging industry, the proposal will solve a longstanding inefficiency for the drivers and businesses hauling the loads, as well as ultimately, the consumer.

SB110 by State Sen. Jack Williams (R-Wilmer) seeks to increase allowable axle weights on logging trucks from the current limit of 34,000 pounds to 44,000 pounds, with an additional 10% scale tolerance.

A companion bill is being carried in the House by State Rep. Donna Givens (R-Loxley).

For years, log truck operators have struggled with being penalized for rear axle overages despite hauling well under the legal gross vehicle weight.

“It’s going to keep them from getting a ticket on the back axle. That’s the main axle we’re doing, but you haul 40-foot logs, there’s no way not to put a ton or more on that rear end because they stick off so far,” Sen. Williams told Yellowhammer News.

“Right now we’re having to haul basically two-thirds of a load or less to get the back axle right. We’re underweight on the whole truck, but overweight just on that one axle and we’re just wanting to change it where it’s 80,000 pounds plus the 10% allowance on the whole truck.”

Williams emphasizes that the bill does not seek to raise the total weight that trucks are allowed to carry. “We’re not hauling any more weight than we’re legal to haul now,” he said. “We’re not asking for a pound more than what we’re legal to haul.”

“I pulled every weight up in every county. I pulled every truckload to come out of every county. Some has four a day, some has eight a day, and then some have 150 a day, and more. It’s different counties where the timber’s grown. How many loads come out? And I figured them up. Most of them do not go to even 40,000 pounds a load.”

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The Alabama Department of Transportation has come out strongly against the proposal, arguing the bill could worsen the condition of local and state roads and bridges.
They also say the proposal could hinder safety inspections of commercial vehicles.

“The bill includes impacts to enforcement with a new stipulation that would require a state trooper to leave a portable truck weighing location within 30 minutes and accompany the log truck driver to a permanent platform scale, which will have the effect of shutting down any further safety inspections for an extended period of time,” ALDOT says.

State Sen. Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville) said last week, even while lawmakers were out for break, he and colleagues were trying to compromise on the issue. An engineer by trade, Chambliss will speak to ALDOT’s safety reservations during Tuesday’s debate.

“When we increase that weight on an axle, it increases the stresses on the bridge, which reduces the life of the bridge, which costs money,” Chambliss told Yellowhammer News last week. “So, I’m trying to balance all those things and come to a solution that helps the industry, but that is not detrimental to our bridges and roads.”

According to Chambliss, the proposed increase in axle weight limits will reduce the life of pavement on state highways by 25-30%. He referenced a report by ALDOT that says increased axle weight limits could create an additional $150 million in maintenance needs for state and U.S. highways.

During COVID, trucks were temporarily permitted to carry up to 90,000 pounds to support essential industries, like the state’s $36 billion forestry industry. For over 19 months, these higher limits were in place – and, according to loggers and lawmakers, no road damage data was ever presented by ALDOT, Williams said.

“They haven’t shown us any records of road damage for two years. That was done with 90,000 pounds. We’re not even asking for that.”

Williams says he has the votes needed to pass the bill and that concerns are overblown because drivers and companies will still be held accountable.

“If you’re a redneck and just want to haul more and you load it too full, you need a ticket,” Williams said. “If you’re not doing what the law says, I agree with that 100%.”