Officials from Nanticoke and Newport Twp. are the latest government leaders in Northeast Pennsylvania objecting to efforts to increase the size of large trucks on the nation’s roads.
Both municipalities recently passed resolutions against a proposed truck weight limit increase, noting tractor trailer traffic has infiltrated locally maintained roads that are not built to withstand such heavy loads.
Congress currently limits the weight of tractor trailers to 80,000 pounds, but retail industry lobbyists are trying to get lawmakers to increase the limit to 91,000 pounds in next year’s transportation bill as a 10-year pilot program. They argue increased weight limits will lead to more efficiency and less truck traffic.
Municipal officials from around the country, including in Northeast Pennsylvania, are objecting to a proposal to increase the weight limits on tractor trailers (Citizens’ Voice file)
Lobbying groups on the other side, such as the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks, recently submitted a petition to Congress against the potential weight increase. The petition was signed by 2,200 local government officials who agree that a weight limit increase will exacerbate already crumbling local infrastructures.
Officials from Northeast Pennsylvania who signed on to the letter included Covington Twp. manager and Supervisor Melissa Kearney, Mayfield Mayor Alexander Chelik, Mayfield Council Vice President Wendy Bochnovich, Nescopeck Mayor Iva Massina, Ross Twp. Supervisor Miralie Cappucci, Sugarloaf Twp. Supervisor Joe DiSabella, Sugarloaf Twp. Manager Elizabeth Tolan, and Wright Twp. Supervisor Colleen Malia.
“Every one kind of agrees most municipalities don’t want bigger trucks,” said Nanticoke police Chief Mike Roke, who is a commissioner in Newport Twp.
The construction of various large warehouses in the South Valley…
The Mountain View Lady Eagles pose after capturing the championship of the Lambert-Simons Tip-Off Classic held at Mountain View with a 53-44 win over Nanticoke Area. Left to right, front row: Haley Bills, Sophia Davis, Emily Trichilo, Aubrey Sanders, Addison Kilmer, Reagan Bishop-Russo, Dazlyn Sobol, Emma Thatcher, and Gianna Gravine. Second row: Head Coach Corey Gesford, Assistant Coaches – Bob Sedlak, Ashley Kilmer, and Errol Mannick. Photo courtesy Behind the Lenz 

