Posted on May 3, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler wants to hear from local farmers and over-the-road truck drivers before presenting the final truck route ordinance to the county commissioners for approval.
During a public hearing Monday evening, he stressed farm vehicles will be exempt as long as they have a farm plate issued by the BMV.
“We do not want to restrict anything,” Ritzler told the crowd at the meeting. “There are no fees for permits. All farmers can farm, all delivery people can deliver.”
Ritzler says free permits will be issued for farmers, over-the-road truck drivers and anyone else who frequently operates a vehicle weighing more than 38,000 pounds on a county road. He says doing so will help with route planning.
Right now there are 10 miles of county-maintained hot-mix asphalt roads in Starke County, in addition to state highways. Ritzler’s goal is to add another 123 miles within the next five to 10 years with three-to-one matching money from INDOT.
“That could be done if it’s planned correctly and the maintenance is done correctly and we know where the trucks are going. We can allocate the resources the right way,” Ritzler said.
He will add any roads that are frequently used by farmers or over-the-road drivers to the route plan if he receives proper notification. Ritzler intends to present the truck route ordinance to the commissioners for final adoption during their May 15th meeting.
The long-term goal is to have every location in Starke County within a mile of either a hot-mix asphalt county road or a state highway.
Showing posts with label truck route ordinance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label truck route ordinance. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Monday, May 1, 2017
Proposed Starke County Truck Route Ordinance Set for Second Reading Tonight
Posted on May 1, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Starke County Commissioners will consider a proposed truck route ordinance on second reading when they meet this evening.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler has been working with a committee comprised of county officials, farmers, Sheriff Bill Dulin and Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver on the policy.
The eventual goal is to have several local hot-mix asphalt roads to accommodate heavy truck traffic in addition to the highways that crisscross Starke County. Ritzler says eventually all locations in the county will be within a mile of such a road.
The measure under consideration restricts routes for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 36,000 pounds to specified county-maintained roads or highways.
School buses are exempt from the proposed ordinance, as are delivery trucks and farm vehicles. Over-the-road truck drivers who live on light-access roads will be able to obtain permits so they can drive their trucks home. Permits will also be available for vehicles passing through on county roads or participating in one-time projects like the ongoing installation of utility transmission lines south of Bass Lake. The permits will keep county officials apprised of truck traffic.
Fines ranging from $100 for a first offense to $300 for a third or subsequent violation will be levied in an attempt to enforce the policy once it takes effect. Violators may also be liable for the cost of repairs to roadways. County Attorney Marty Lucas says the idea is to encourage compliance rather than generate tickets.
The commissioners will discuss the proposal during their 6 p.m. meeting. Ritzler will also present his regular monthly report, which will likely include an explanation of what the road funding bill passed by the state legislature will mean for Starke County.
EMS Director Keith Emigh will also provide his monthly report. The commissioners also plan to make an appointment to the PTABOA board this evening. It’s the panel that reviews property tax assessment appeals.
The Starke County Commissioners will meet at 6 p.m. in the meeting room at the annex building.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Starke County Commissioners will consider a proposed truck route ordinance on second reading when they meet this evening.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler has been working with a committee comprised of county officials, farmers, Sheriff Bill Dulin and Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver on the policy.
The eventual goal is to have several local hot-mix asphalt roads to accommodate heavy truck traffic in addition to the highways that crisscross Starke County. Ritzler says eventually all locations in the county will be within a mile of such a road.
The measure under consideration restricts routes for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 36,000 pounds to specified county-maintained roads or highways.
School buses are exempt from the proposed ordinance, as are delivery trucks and farm vehicles. Over-the-road truck drivers who live on light-access roads will be able to obtain permits so they can drive their trucks home. Permits will also be available for vehicles passing through on county roads or participating in one-time projects like the ongoing installation of utility transmission lines south of Bass Lake. The permits will keep county officials apprised of truck traffic.
Fines ranging from $100 for a first offense to $300 for a third or subsequent violation will be levied in an attempt to enforce the policy once it takes effect. Violators may also be liable for the cost of repairs to roadways. County Attorney Marty Lucas says the idea is to encourage compliance rather than generate tickets.
The commissioners will discuss the proposal during their 6 p.m. meeting. Ritzler will also present his regular monthly report, which will likely include an explanation of what the road funding bill passed by the state legislature will mean for Starke County.
EMS Director Keith Emigh will also provide his monthly report. The commissioners also plan to make an appointment to the PTABOA board this evening. It’s the panel that reviews property tax assessment appeals.
The Starke County Commissioners will meet at 6 p.m. in the meeting room at the annex building.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Starke County Commissioners Consider Truck Route Ordinance
Posted on April 4, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Starke County Commissioners have taken a first step towards adopting a truck route ordinance. It restricts routes for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 36,000 pounds to specified county-maintained roads or highways.
Under a proposal offered by Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler, all locations in the county will eventually be within a mile of either a highway or a county road paved with hot mix asphalt which can better withstand the weight of heavy vehicles.
School buses are exempt from the proposed ordinance, as are delivery trucks. Over-the-road truck drivers and farmers who need to access fields within Starke County will be able to purchase annual permits designating which roads they can use.
Fines ranging from $100 for a first offense to $300 for a third or subsequent violation will be levied in an attempt to enforce the policy once it takes effect. Violators may also be liable for the cost of repairs to roadways. County Attorney Marty Lucas says the idea is to encourage compliance rather than generate tickets.
Ritzler sought input from Sheriff Bill Dulin, Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver, county government officials and representatives of the farming community.
Farmer Lee Nagai was part of that process. He saw the proposed ordinance for the first time yesterday and asked for more time to review it and discuss its implications with other farmers. He says there’s no guarantee future commissioners will understand the importance of good transportation to the agriculture sector. Nagai also raised concerns about the unspecified permit costs. He told the commissioners he doesn’t mind paying his fair share, but he’s not sure what that is.
The commissioners adopted the proposed ordinance on first reading, which will allow for a public review of the proposal before a final vote is taken. Ritzler will also share the draft ordinance with the advisory group before the next commissioners meeting.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Starke County Commissioners have taken a first step towards adopting a truck route ordinance. It restricts routes for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 36,000 pounds to specified county-maintained roads or highways.
Under a proposal offered by Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler, all locations in the county will eventually be within a mile of either a highway or a county road paved with hot mix asphalt which can better withstand the weight of heavy vehicles.
School buses are exempt from the proposed ordinance, as are delivery trucks. Over-the-road truck drivers and farmers who need to access fields within Starke County will be able to purchase annual permits designating which roads they can use.
Fines ranging from $100 for a first offense to $300 for a third or subsequent violation will be levied in an attempt to enforce the policy once it takes effect. Violators may also be liable for the cost of repairs to roadways. County Attorney Marty Lucas says the idea is to encourage compliance rather than generate tickets.
Ritzler sought input from Sheriff Bill Dulin, Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver, county government officials and representatives of the farming community.
Farmer Lee Nagai was part of that process. He saw the proposed ordinance for the first time yesterday and asked for more time to review it and discuss its implications with other farmers. He says there’s no guarantee future commissioners will understand the importance of good transportation to the agriculture sector. Nagai also raised concerns about the unspecified permit costs. He told the commissioners he doesn’t mind paying his fair share, but he’s not sure what that is.
The commissioners adopted the proposed ordinance on first reading, which will allow for a public review of the proposal before a final vote is taken. Ritzler will also share the draft ordinance with the advisory group before the next commissioners meeting.
Monday, May 4, 2015
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.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
North Judson Town Council Tables Truck Route Ordinance
Published: March 19, 2015
By: Tyler Maffitt, WKVI
The North Judson Town Council has decided more research needs to be conducted before regulating truck routes.
The measure was brought up at their last meeting. Under its current language, the ordinance would regulate where commercial truck traffic can drive in the community. Should the ordinance pass, local law enforcement could cite truck driver’s not following the designated routes.
North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says additional research was needed.
“The Council decided that they wanted to research updating the GPS systems to ensure that our truck route streets are accurate,” says Henry.
Part of those considerations include: speaking with companies who manufacture GPS devices.
By specifying which routes can be driven by commercial truck traffic, North Judson hopes the GPS companies could help limit where the traffic flows.
Henry says other communities have been working on similar efforts.
“The Council is going to pursue that, or research that somewhat, but we’ll probably still have our second and third readings at the next meeting,” says Henry.
Further consideration of the Truck Route ordinance was tabled until that research could be conducted.
By: Tyler Maffitt, WKVI
The North Judson Town Council has decided more research needs to be conducted before regulating truck routes.
The measure was brought up at their last meeting. Under its current language, the ordinance would regulate where commercial truck traffic can drive in the community. Should the ordinance pass, local law enforcement could cite truck driver’s not following the designated routes.
North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says additional research was needed.
“The Council decided that they wanted to research updating the GPS systems to ensure that our truck route streets are accurate,” says Henry.
Part of those considerations include: speaking with companies who manufacture GPS devices.
By specifying which routes can be driven by commercial truck traffic, North Judson hopes the GPS companies could help limit where the traffic flows.
Henry says other communities have been working on similar efforts.
“The Council is going to pursue that, or research that somewhat, but we’ll probably still have our second and third readings at the next meeting,” says Henry.
Further consideration of the Truck Route ordinance was tabled until that research could be conducted.
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