Wednesday, November 3, 2010

South Carolina heavy truck pilot program made permanent

CHARLESTON, SC -- Although federal law limits trucks to 80K pounds, states can grant permits for heavier weights on rigs hauling shipping containers. A pilot program launched earlier this year permitting overweight trucks up to 100K pounds on South Carolina roadways was so successful it was made permanent this week.

Competing states such as Georgia and North Carolina already allowed for heavier loads, shutting South Carolina shippers out of some export markets. The pilot program showed immediate results, according to the state ports authority. The South Carolina DOT reported no uptick in accidents involving the heavier loads.