TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Indiana state Senator Jon Ford authors a bill which would increase the truck carrying limit for masonry products.
Trucks in the state of Indiana are not allowed to carry more than 80,000 pounds unless a permit is issued.
Ford says, as the years pass, the amount of products allowed to exceed this limit is increasing.
“Rolls of steel were added a few years ago to the list. Milk was added a year ago,” Ford said.
One product that is not on this list is masonry products, such as bricks.
A local masonry worker says the current carrying limits leads to increased costs for customers.
“50% of the sales cost hitting the customer is the cost of me getting it to them,” said Chris Egge, Brampton Brick site manager.
Beginning last year, Ford began pushing for legislation that would allow for 120,000 pounds of masonry products to be carried by trucks.
Ford says by increasing the load per truck it’s not only helping the masonry industry but it could improve safety.
“It is a safer way of transportation. There will be less trucks on the road. There will more axles which means more brakes,” Ford said.
Vigo County Sheriff John Plasse says he originally had questions about the safety aspect of the bill, but he does support it if it limits trucks to a 120,000 pound limit.
“If one commodity can do 120,000, why can’t everybody else? And I’m okay with that. I just don’t want it to be above the 120,000 because i don’t know if it would be safer if we did that,” Plasse said.
Egge says if this bill passes he expects jobs at Brampton Brick to increase by double.
On Wednesday, experts will study the safety and impact on the roads that this bill may have.
