CROTHERSVILLE

“No trucks” signs can now be placed on certain streets in Crothersville after the second and final reading of an ordinance was approved.

During a recent meeting, the Crothersville Town Council unanimously passed the ordinance to bar trucks from these streets:

East Walnut Street from U.S. 31 to North East Street

East Bard Street from U.S. 31 to North East Street

Dixon Street from U.S. 31 east to Seymour Road

Dixon Street from U.S. 31 to the railroad tracks

South Kovener Street from West Howard Street to Industrial Way

South Kovener Street from Park Avenue to Bethany Road

North Kovener Street from Myers Street to West Walnut Street

Marshall Drive from U.S. 31 to Moore Street

Before approving the first reading in April, the council agreed on a $500 fine for an ordinance violation.

At the May 4 meeting, though, Utility Director Mason Boicourt asked about making an exception on certain roads at certain times.

For example, he said trucks will need access to the sewer plant off of Bethany Road for the combined sewer overflow project. Using Industrial Way to Rider Avenue to get into the plant is a better way to bring in materials, Brad Bender with FPBH Inc. said.

“This is a whole lot better than having them on Main Street and coming on Bethany,” Bender said.

Boicourt also said irrigation systems are delivered to farm fields west of town toward Tampico and sometimes get on people’s yards.

He suggested the town offer a permit to allow semis to use the most suitable route.

“We would know who’s responsible for (accidents or damage) at that point because no one is supposed to be on there except for these people who have applied,” Boicourt said, adding law enforcement could be notified and help with traffic flow.

Councilwoman Katie Masters made a motion to approve the second reading of the ordinance contingent upon town attorney Matt Lorenzo adding that a permit could be applied for on an annual basis for an exception to be on a certain road or roads. That was unanimously approved.

Before that action, though, the council had more discussion related to the ordinance.

Councilman Jamy Greathouse suggested instead of putting up “No trucks” signs on the side streets, he said “Truck route” signs may work better.

“The placement of a street sign on the side road is not going to be seen until after they are on the spot turning into the area that they aren’t supposed to be on,” he said. “However, if there’s a sign at the end of each side of town that says ‘Vehicles in excess of 10,000 pounds must follow marked truck route,’ which there are many towns that have those, then they don’t turn on the other streets and then see a sign.”

Foster asked if the truck drivers would look at those signs any more than they would the “No trucks” signs.

“But at least they are going to see them before they turn on the road,” Greathouse said of the “Truck route” signs.

Foster then said truck drivers often don’t see the Industrial Way street sign along U.S. 31 that leads to their destination in the industrial park, and then they drive into town and take a street that doesn’t accommodate them, many times resulting in property damage and/or getting stuck.

“To try to make it as easy and obvious for anybody, not just the people of this community but anybody visiting this community, to be able to have the visibility before it’s too late, that’s all my suggestion was,” Greathouse said.

“Putting a sign on a street doesn’t make them not go down it. That’s my point is why are we going to clutter our neighborhoods with more signs that aren’t going to do us any good versus just marking the streets with a sign that says ‘Commercial vehicle route’ and limiting it to three or four signs versus 10 or 12?” he said.

Foster said the “No trucks” signs already had been ordered. In March, Street Superintendent Mike Deaton drew up a diagram of places where the signs should be posted and submitted an expense of nearly $400 for 15 signs, including a few spares.

Boicourt said the town would have to receive approval from the Indiana Department of Transportation to add “Truck route” signs because they would be along U.S. 31.