Truck Route Implementation Moves Forward

June 7, 2016AuthorMary Perren, WKVI 

The GPS systems used by over-the-road truck drivers should soon be updated to reflect the truck routes in Knox and North Judson. Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver told the county commissioners last night 26 separate GPS providers have accepted the revised routes, but he doesn’t have an implementation schedule just yet.

The goal is to keep traffic to the Knox and North Judson Industrial Parks off residential streets and roads not rated for heavy vehicles. The GPS systems used by the transportation industry take weight restrictions and truck routes into effect when the driver enters the destination.

Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler noted additional wear and tear on 300 East between 200 South and Toto Road due to truck traffic to and from the Knox Industrial Park. The county commissioners discussed the placement of “No Trucks” signs to discourage drivers from using those roads to get to the industrial park. Over-the-road drivers from all directions should use State Road 8 to 300 East to and from the park.

North Judson Completes Truck Route Signs

Published: July 9, 2015

By: Tyler Maffitt, WKVI

The Town of North Judson has now finalized signs specifying where trucks can travel.

Town Council members approved an ordinance earlier this year creating a route that commercial trucking vehicles can travel while within the town limits. The ordinance not only helps prevent traffic issues, but also helps maintain the quality of North Judson’s roads.

Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says some of the signs were put up earlier in the year.

“We have several signs throughout the thoroughfare of Highway 10, you know, and on some residential streets it says: no trucks, or whatever,” says Henry. “But then we’ve got directional signs for where the truck route actually is.”

It was reported during this week’s meeting by Town Marshall Doug Vessely that the final signs specifying the route have been installed.

The route largely travels to the industrial area of North Judson. Other businesses receiving products from commercial truck traffic are expected to only travel to the point nearest to the business and then use the local roads.

Henry says the signs also specify which industrial areas the trucks are traveling to.

“We’ve put up a couple of signs that indicate: Industrial Park or American Oak so that the truck drivers know ‘okay this is the route to take me there’,” says Henry.

Other signs have been installed detailing where residential neighborhoods are located and that truck traffic is disallowed from traveling.

No action was taken by the North Judson Town Council.

North Judson Truck Route Established

North Judson Truck Route Established

Published: May 4, 2015

By: Tyler Maffitt, WKVI

North Judson has solidified the route that commercial trucks can take in the community.

The ordinance specifies the path to enter the community and reach the industrial park through State Road 10 without traveling on residential streets. North Judson has undertaken the effort to help preserve road quality and prevent other traffic impediments.

Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says commercial trucks would turn onto Luken Road off of State Road 10 to the intersection of Sycamore street.

“If they’re going to the industrial park, they’d take the same route as if they were going to American Oak, but they would continue on to Arlington Avenue and then take that over to the entrance to the industrial park,” says Henry.

The Town of North Judson initially considered reaching out to GPS manufacturers to specify to commercial trucks where they can travel. They now intend to join the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, the City of Knox, and Starke County to contact the companies.

Henry says there are still companies which need to be accessed commercially that aren’t in the industrial park.

“For instance, if they’re making a delivery to the elevator, or the grocery store, they are to take the truck route to the nearest intersection for the business that would get them to that destination,” says Henry.

Signs have been constructed in North Judson to alert commercial truck drivers where they are allowed to travel.

According to the ordinance’s legal notice, the Truck Route Ordinance will take effect at the end of this month.

North Judson Town Council Considers Regulating Truck Traffic

Published: March 5, 2015
By: Tyler Maffitt, WKVI

North Judson has decided to consider better regulating where commercial trucks can drive in the community.

During Monday night’s North Judson Town Council meeting, a first reading of what’s being called the Truck Route ordinance was presented.

North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says this could mean action by law enforcement.

“If a police officer should witness semi-trucks, I think it was over 14-thousand or more in weight, traveling over roads that are not the established truck route, they would be able to issue citations,” says Henry.

By better defining truck routes, North Judson may save on road repairs and remedy other traffic related concerns.

The town has experienced increased commercial truck traffic as a result of the industrial park.

According to Henry, the North Judson Town Council has been looking at an ordinance such as this for some time. She says the ordinance is targeted toward a segment of commercial trucks

“Most of the trucks are from out of the area, they’re not necessarily from local trucking companies,” says Henry.

The matter will come back to the North Judson Town Council for another reading at their next regularly scheduled meeting.