$10k fines for heavy trucks on NY bridges, tunnels

On New York bridges over-heavy trucks equal over-heavy fines Photo Copyright 2008 Jupiterimages

The Associated Press

7/15/2008

NEW YORK — Truck drivers carrying overweight loads are risking heavy fines if they try to cross New York City's bridges and tunnels.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Bridges and Tunnels division says truck drivers carrying more than 80,000 pounds can be fined as much as $10,000 each for crossing MTA facilities.

Overweight vehicles stress roadway pavements and decks. The extra weight accelerates wear and tear, making repairs more costly and frequent.

The Bridges and Tunnels division says it recently has issued more than 100 summonses per month to overweight trucks, some as heavy as 200,000 pounds.

The truckers were fined and told to turn around.

Drivers of heavy trucks must call ahead to make arrangements for crossing bridges and tunnels at night, at slow speeds or in designated lanes.