February 22, 2005

Ky. coal truck law creating problems

Relief given to coal trucks nearly 20 years ago might end up costing the Commonwealth of Kentucky millions more than it expected.

In 1986, the Kentucky General Assembly created an exemption from weight-limit laws for coal trucks. Coal trucks with special permits would be allowed to haul 60 tons rather than 40 tons. Now a lawsuit from a gravel trucking firm contends the exemption is unfair and favors one industry. So, a legislator has introduced a bill allowing other trucks to run at 60 tons also.

Last week, legislative analysts estimated the cost of the higher weight limit to be about $25 million a year for repairing roads and bridges damaged by the heavier trucks and a one-time cost of $360 million to replace bridges unable to handle them.

Do the people of Kentucky want the same problems with heavy trucks in their areas that people in coal counties have with coal trucks?