The scenario is not as remote as it might seem, County Judge Gilberto Hinojosa told county commissioners Tuesday, agreeing with concerns raised by County Engineer Juan Bernal. As a result, commissioners are considering prohibiting trucks with more than a specified number of axles on county bridges and some roads. Although signs prohibiting truck traffic above 5,000 pounds are posted on some county roads and bridges, enforcement is difficult, Sheriff Omar Lucio said. While a deputy could easily cite a driver for exceeding the posted weight limit, a judge would throw the case out of court because the citation would lack the specific weight violation, Lucio said. As an option, the county could buy a scale and get a deputy trained by the Texas Department of Public Safety to handle overweight violations, Lucio said.
Time is money.
Hinojosa said truckers would think twice before violating weight limits once they get pulled over and face travel delays. Cascos has been studying a problem area on Old Port Isabel Road. He said a sign near the bridge on the road posts a 5,000-pound weight limit. Officials also said signs are posted at the north and south ends of the road prohibiting heavy truck traffic on the narrow road and bridge. Cascos was at the site recently talking with a concerned resident and said he spotted at least two or three loaded 18-wheelers traveling the roadway.