[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by hotair2

If it is weight limits on big rigs that is the problem, how are the other 45 states that performed better on the survey dealing with the problem. I think blaming it on trucking is just a bunch of huey. It is not like Arkansas is the only state that has big rigs on the highways and interstates.

Quite frankly, other than a couple of Sun Belt states, my observation is that roads all over the country are varying degrees of abysmal, generally speaking. I suspect it's like an obesity study -- Arkansas may be one of the fattest states, but the least fat state is probably just a few percentage points better.

Obviously, it's more than just big rigs. States have to commit more resources to road maintenance, and they're not all equal in that respect. But I've noticed over the years that more weigh stations are closed or allowed to be bypassed by truckers, and there are fewer DOTs on the roads. And we haven't even touched on the maintence of big rigs and the safety issues that arise from that -- all of the blown tires and tread laying on roads.

[hotair2]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

Quite frankly, other than a couple of Sun Belt states, my observation is that roads all over the country are varying degrees of abysmal, generally speaking. I suspect it's like an obesity study -- Arkansas may be one of the fattest states, but the least fat state is probably just a few percentage points better.

Obviously, it's more than just big rigs. States have to commit more resources to road maintenance, and they're not all equal in that respect. But I've noticed over the years that more weigh stations are closed or allowed to be bypassed by truckers, and there are fewer DOTs on the roads. And we haven't even touched on the maintence of big rigs and the safety issues that arise from that -- all of the blown tires and tread laying on roads.

In Arkansas, we seem to have a few more problems that are brought about by Shale drilling. In addition to possible Earth Quakes brought on by drilling for shale, it seems to be creating havoc for the roads, which has required weight reductions.
State Highway Department Lowers Weight Limits in Fayetteville Shale - ArkansasMatters.com

[SimplyTisha]

I think the point that was being made on the locaol news station this morning was that the trucking industry and their current weight limits put further stress on the road systems, which are not beefy enough to handle the load. It's not blaming all the road problems on the trucking industry, it's just stating that the current weight limits aren't helping matters. Changing the weight limits alone would not solve the problem, but it's a step that may need to be taken.

[Capt. Dan]

Originally Posted by VacaGuru

I think the point that was being made on the locaol news station this morning was that the trucking industry and their current weight limits put further stress on the road systems, which are not beefy enough to handle the load. It's not blaming all the road problems on the trucking industry, it's just stating that the current weight limits aren't helping matters. Changing the weight limits alone would not solve the problem, but it's a step that may need to be taken.

1-with a few exceptions [mostly coal carriers] federal law mandates truck weights on Interstate highways. 80,000 pounds gross. 12,000 lbs. on the steer axle.34,000 lbs.on the drive axle and 34,000 lbs. on the rear axle. 80,000lb trucks are not the problem. You would rather have lighter loads and MORE trucks? That would only exascerbate the problem and add to already too high product costs because more trucks means burning more expensive diesel fuel.
2- Alot of the problems on Arkansas roads are a result of fluxuating temperatures. Y'all get every kind of weather imaginable. Hot. Cold. Rain. Snow and ice. The asphalt used in Arkansas needs to be mixed with something like "slag" or "mill scale" [byproducts of the steel manufacturing process] to make it more weather resistant. And at only $5.00 per ton it wont add too much to the road improvement costs.
More trucks with lighter loads is not the answer.
Capt. Dan

[6genet]

I drive to and from the Gulf of Mexico every 3 weeks. I'm actually pleased with the progress made on Highway 65 from Little Rock down to Eudora and the Louisiana state line.

But once in Louisiana, pull your seat belt tighter.

[SimplyTisha]

Originally Posted by Capt. Dan

1-with a few exceptions [mostly coal carriers] federal law mandates truck weights on Interstate highways. 80,000 pounds gross. 12,000 lbs. on the steer axle.34,000 lbs.on the drive axle and 34,000 lbs. on the rear axle. 80,000lb trucks are not the problem. You would rather have lighter loads and MORE trucks? That would only exascerbate the problem and add to already too high product costs because more trucks means burning more expensive diesel fuel.
2- Alot of the problems on Arkansas roads are a result of fluxuating temperatures. Y'all get every kind of weather imaginable. Hot. Cold. Rain. Snow and ice. The asphalt used in Arkansas needs to be mixed with something like "slag" or "mill scale" [byproducts of the steel manufacturing process] to make it more weather resistant. And at only $5.00 per ton it wont add too much to the road improvement costs.
More trucks with lighter loads is not the answer.
Capt. Dan

Good points! I wasn't advocating for the weight limits being lowered, I was simply stating what the state is proposing it can do to fix the issue. I believe I agreed with you, in that lowering weight limits isn't the answer or the only answer, because the roads are poorly constructed.

Originally Posted by 6genet

But once in Louisiana, pull your seat belt tighter.

Exactly!

[Tuck479]

Originally Posted by bagelw

Everyone knows you have to go 88 mph for time travel.

HAHAHA! I LOVE that movie!

[Gallbaro]

All Arkansas has to do is stop building completely useless roads, granted it is nothing like those interchanges in Texas, but still did a new interchange have to be built outside of Harrison, on the way to Branson? Did Flippin Arkansas really need a bypass? Most of these towns should only qualify for gravel roads. There is no reason to build quality roads to towns in the sticks to "encourage" development, out in the sticks.

[northbound74]

^^Seems like bypassing those poor little towns does them more harm than good anyway. Walmart and fast food goes up along the bypass, killing the rest of the town. Happens every time.

[AllenKarber]

Originally Posted by northbound74

^^Seems like bypassing those poor little towns does them more harm than good anyway. Walmart and fast food goes up along the bypass, killing the rest of the town. Happens every time.

Yup!

And Louisiana roads are pretty bad! Wow.