State Lawmakers Considering Bill Regarding Hauling of Forest Products

Tuesday, October 31st, 2023 -- 8:01 AM

(By Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) Republican lawmakers are considering a bill that would let the forest products industry truck heavier loads on more routes near the Michigan-Wisconsin border, a move supporters say would save time and money, but one that transportation officials warn would further damage the state's roads.

According to Danielle Kaeding with the Wisconsin Public Radio, under current law, a vehicle largely can’t exceed certain size, weight and load requirements unless authorized by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Normally, Wisconsin's DOT limits trucks to carrying 80,000 pounds, but state transportation officials can grant so-called "Michigan border permits" for overweight vehicles to transport loads within 11 miles of the Wisconsin-Michigan border and other designated routes. Under those permits, trucks are allowed to abide by Michigan's maximum weight limit, which is 164,000 pounds, or more than twice the normal limit in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin has already designated a number of timber routes that allow trucks to haul more weight, and the Republican-authored bill would add 10 more. Lawmakers say the proposal comes at the request of timber groups.

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