Jefferson County Judge changes weight limits to “protect roads” while disrupting logging and forestry industries

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ark.- Many people in the logging industry are still facing the repercussions of the Jefferson County Judge changing the weight limit on county roads with apparently no notice to the industries.

New weight limit signs were posted Wednesday morning, raising concerns as 18-wheelers exited the state highway onto county roads in Jefferson County and found themselves hauling over the new weight limit.

“I received a handful of phone calls from the loggers in the forestry sector concerned about weight limit signs that have been posted on county signs in Jefferson County,” State Senator District 1 Ben Gilmore said.

Many believe that this weight limit change will be a detriment to the industry.

“Well, it’s going to be devastating, you know, for loggers, they are small business owners and they’re paid on their production; I don’t know anyone paid on production that can stand this reduction and still be able to operate in the red and run their business,” State Senator District 2 and Registered Forester Matt Stone said.

On Arkansas highways, the maximum weight for trucks is 80,000 pounds; anything above requires a special permanent.

The weight change from 80,000 to 68,000 pounds is a 15% reduction, which shocked the industry on Wednesday morning.

“They weren’t even aware of it,” Sen. Gilmore said.

Jefferson County is home to one of the state’s largest paper mills and many factories and companies that rely heavily on raw materials like timber.

“You know you got paper mills, you have sawmills, some are pine saw mills, some are hardwood sawmills,” Sen. Stone said. “Some of the mills are located on county roads.”

Stone says they will all feel the “rippling effects” from this weight limit change.

The weight limit will impact not only loggers but also all 18-wheelers that travel through Jefferson County on county roads.

Jefferson County Road Department reports that they maintain 972 miles of county-owned roads.

Stone and Gilmore both ask the same question.

“Should he impose these burdens on our loggers, should he impose these burdens on folks who were trying to just survive as small business owners,” Sen. Gilmore said.

The Arkansas Constitution Amendment 55 Section 3 gives the Jefferson County Judge the right to make these changes without quorum court approval.

Section 3: “The County Judge, in addition to other powers and duties provided for by the Constitution and by law, shall preside over the Quorum Court without a vote but with the power of veto; authorize and approve disbursement of appropriated county funds; operate the system of county roads; administer ordinances enacted by the Quorum Court; have custody of county property; hire county employees, except those persons employed by other elected officials of the county.”

In a statement, Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson said:

“Constituents complained about log trucks damaging their newly resurfaced Stagecoach road, which loggers from outside of Jefferson County used.  County roads are not constructed nor have the foundation based materials as state Highways, and they do not hold up to State limit of 85,000 lbs.  As Judge, I made the decision to lower this weight to 68,000 lbs to not only take care  of my constituents’ concerns, but also our county roads! Loggers can travel the State Highways. These highways will lead them to their destination.”

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