OCTOBER 24, 2005

ISSUE 1086

BRONSON ANNOUNCES SUSPENSION OF WEIGHT LIMIT ON TRUCKS

 

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson announced Friday (October 21) that Gov. Jeb Bush's declaration of a state of emergency for Hurricane Wilma extends for 60 days a waiver of weight restrictions normally in place on commercial vehicles.

 

It means that trucks, including those carrying livestock, fresh and processed fruit and vegetable products, and timber, can increase their loads to assist in hurricane recovery. The weight limit on the largest trucks has been increased from 80,000 pounds to 95,000 pounds, and limits have also been increased to varying degrees for smaller trucks.

 

Vehicles carrying the extra weight permitted under the executive order are required to carry a copy of the Florida Department of Transportation letter authorizing the weight increases, as well as copies of Florida maps that designate the routes that can be used to transport the oversized loads.

 

The letter can be downloaded at http://www.fdotmaint.com/permit/Wilma/overweight_05-219.pdf.