Larger Vehicles vs. Aging Infrastructure //
In the US, weight limit signs are commonly posted before bridge crossings and other spanning infrastructure that requires notice of a vehicles weight. This signs vary in specificity and description with denotations toward axel count, length, and whether it denotes the empty weight vehicle.
There’s no question what is considered in the category of “light truck” is getting bigger by the year. This has ramifications on our already struggling infrastructure. Bridges built even 20-30 years ago are now faced with the task of constantly carrying the weight of vehicles straddling common weight limits for smaller bridges. Case and point;
PRESS RELEASE // NewsBreak - Akron, OH:
‘The Summit County Engineer's Office has closed a South Main Street bridge that straddles the border of Green and New Franklin after an inspection Thursday. The inspector found a new crack in the span, which had been open under a 3-ton weight limit, said Heidi Swindell, director of administration and government affairs for Engineer Alan Brubaker.
"We have been been keeping an eye on it the past few months," Swindell said. The bridge had already been scheduled for work, but deteriorated faster than the Engineer's Office had hoped.
Summit County Council and the Summit County executive have already approved the $645,000 construction contract with Kenmore Construction to rehabilitate the bridge, and the Engineer's Office has asked that the project be expedited.Improvements include installing new concrete box beams, a concrete deck, and minor approach roadway work.‘
In this instance it’s a 6,000 pound weight limit. Unfortunately, base model ‘light pick-ups’ are approaching that number without added cargo weight. Combine this with more people owning (or forced to own out of safety) a giant ‘light’ pick-up truck; and you have yourself an aging, unsafe, inefficient transportation system with one more unnecessary issue.
How much had curb weight gone up? Check down below!
Vehicle Curb Weight //
2007 Subaru Impreza (for comparison): 2,965-3,142lbs
2023 Suzuki Carry Truck (for comparison) : 2,348lbs
2022 Peugeot 208 II (most popular in EU): 2,348lbs
2023 Toyota Yaris SX (most popular in Japan): 2,260lbs
2023 Chevy Silverado 1500: 4,400-5,620lbs
2023 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD: 6,105-6,950lbs
2023 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD: 6,231-7,064lbs
2023 Dodge Ram 1500: 4,765-6,440lbs
2023 Dodge Ram 2500: 6,001-7,281lbs
2023 Ford F-150: 4,021-5,697lbs
2023 Ford F-250: 5,677-7,538lbs
2023 Ford F-350: 5,878-7,687lbs
2023 GMC Sierra 1500: 4,440-5,780lbs
2023 GMC Sierra 2500HD: 6,105-6,950lbs
2023 GMC Sierra 3500HD: 6,231-7,059lbs
2023 Toyota Tundra SR5: 5,095-5,620lbs
