EXTRA LARGE TRUCKS ON SA ROADS

[DET63]

Posted on 14 September 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
Anyone who thought the South African government was serious in getting freight off our badly overloaded and under maintained roads and back to rail – think again. For starters, we permit bigger trucks than a raft of better informed countries. The roads suffer, not only as a result of this, but because they are inadequately looked after anyway – due to a critical lack of funds.

 

But now hear this. From September 2009, according to the Mercury, published in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), “articulated trucks longer and heavier than anything else in everyday use on South African roads” will be in operation, transporting timber to Sappi’s Saiccor plant at Umkomaas. “They are the first licensed ‘performance-based system’ vehicles in South Africa and were bought by transport company Timber Logistics Services for use on its runs from the KZN Midlands and Zululand to Umkomaas. The vehicles will transport timber from Bulwer and Richard’s Bay to the Saiccor plant.

More

 

[PetalumaLoco]

Is this what it looks like?

And South Africa isn't the only place suffering.

 

[gswager]

Northwest states allowed truckers to carry up to 54 tons (106,000 lbs.) on highway, so US is not alone.

 

[DET63]

Will large trucks, carrying freight that might otherwise go on rails, tear up roads around the world?

 

[PetalumaLoco]

Will large trucks, carrying freight that might otherwise go on rails, tear up roads around the world?

Bound to be more wear and tear.

 

[gswager]

Will large trucks, carrying freight that might otherwise go on rails, tear up roads around the world?

Bound to be more wear and tear.

Yes, in additional to the bridges.