Senate Defeats Bill To Reduce Truck Weights

Posted by Lake Superior Community Partnership on December 2, 2014

The Senate rejected a bill today that would reduce Michigan’s 164,000-pound gross weight limit for trucks to 80,000 pounds.

SB 1150 failed by a vote of 15-22, with most Republicans voting in opposition.

It has long been debated whether Michigan’s 164,000-pound limit spread over 11 axles is a major factor in the deteriorating condition of the state’s roads. Defenders of the limit have said Michigan’s limit actually means fewer pounds per axle than in other states that allow spreading 80,000 pounds over five axles.

Three Republicans voted with all 12 Democrats in favor of the bill: Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township), Sen. Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights) and Sen. Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison Township). But that still left the bill five votes short of passage.

Source: Gongwer