A truck crosses a bridge on Route 68 in Butler Township on Jan. 28. The state-owned bridge was given a “poor” grade for both the deck and superstructure. County officials have joined others in opposing laws allowing heavier truckloads. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Joseph Ressler

After the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed in Pittsburgh Jan. 28, dozens of law enforcement and governmental officials from Butler County and around the state sent a letter to the Pennsylvania General Assembly asking lawmakers to oppose any increase in the maximum allowable weight of trucks on roads.

Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe is among the signers of the petition, and said the heavier a truck, the more potential for danger and damage. Additionally, heavier truckloads could cause more damage to streets, inevitably costing more for county municipalities to repair.

“You have more stopping distance,” Slupe said of larger trucks. “They do damage to roads and bridges, threaten public safety; there's too many tragic crashes.”

Butler Township police Chief John Hays, Harmony Mayor Cathy Rape and Harmony Borough Council President Greg Such are other county officials who also signed the letter.

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