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Iowa’s highways are built to withstand a wide variety of vehicles, from compact cars to 18-wheeler semis and large farm equipment. They do have their limits, though, and according to the Iowa State Patrol, that limit is about 80,000 pounds.

“The weight deteriorates the roadway, so if you’re not abiding by the weight laws, it’s pretty much ruining our infrastructure in the state of Iowa,” said Lt. Neil Suckow, of the Iowa State Patrol Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit.

It’s also a safety issued, Suckow said, because hauling too much weight can cause strain on crucial equipment, like brakes, leading to potential dangerous crashes.

So why do the weigh stations along Iowa’s highways, which are used

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