Overweight Freight… Not Anymore!

The Indiana Senate has recently voted unanimously on a bill that would allow weight increases on specific commodities within the State. The State Department  or local authority will be responsible for granting the permits  that would allow transport carriers  to haul as much as 120,000 lbs gross depending on the commodity. Shipments that will be able to take advantage of this new bill include Steel  and Agricultural commodities. Divisible loads of steel and agricultural goods will now be granted permits to haul 120,000 lbs gross and 97,000 lbs gross respectively within the State of Indiana.

Although this is an exciting change in landscape for haulers in Indiana, it is not without opposition. The Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association opposes the increase and has lobbied the Senate on several issues regarding the bill. The impacts of the change will have to be studied carefully in order to insure that the benefits to those suppliers of raw materials is advantageous enough to cover any loss to the trucking industry.

At this time most of our carrier partners are taking the change in stride, many attempting to order annual permits in order to be ready when the time comes to service loads of this weight and size. We anticipate that this will benefit many of our current customers and carrier partners, and will be watching and analyzing these changes closely.

For more information please visit the Indiana General Assembly @ http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2013&session=1&request=getBill&docno=1481&doctype=HB