West Virginia Considers Some Use of Overweight Coal Trucks

versized and overweight coal trucks could receive special permission to travel up to half a mile on public roads under a bill being considered by the West Virginia House of Delegates, the Charleston (W. Va.) Gazette reported.

Under current state law, trucks weighing up to 120,000 pounds are allowed on some specially designated roads.

Under the proposed change, coal companies could ask for permission to run heavier trucks on those highways, the paper said.

Under the proposed rule, a coal company would ask the commissioner of highways for a permit. Engineers would examine whether the roads and bridges could handle the proposed weights, the paper said.