The Indiana General Assembly gave final approval to a bill that would permit heavier loads on certain northeast Indiana roads. The bill now heads to Gov. Joe Kernan.

Under SB19, sponsored by Sen. Charles “Bud” Meeks, R-Leo, the allowed total weight of trucks would increase from 80,000 pounds to 134,000 pounds by designating parts of U.S. 30, Indiana Route 9 and U.S. 6 as extra-heavy-duty highways.

Indiana now permits the heavier loads on 17 other highways throughout the state.

Kathy Noland, a spokeswoman with the Indiana Department of Transportation, recently told The Journal Gazette the department has reviewed the plan and is comfortable with the ability of U.S. 6 and Indiana 9 south of U.S. 6 to Columbia City to handle the additional weight.

Noland did say, however, that the roads would have to be rebuilt – including a widening – in the next decade.

INDOT did request that Indiana 9 north of U.S. 6 be left off the bill.

“We have some real major concerns about the subsurface of the road,” said Noland, who also noted the high Amish traffic on the corridor.

She indicated the agency would continue to look at other possible northern options – such as Indiana Route 5 or 37.