County Bans Big Trucks On Small Roads

Dearborn County Commissioners have passed an ordinance prohibiting trucks on county roads marked with the restriction.

File photo.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – Big rigs ignoring warnings of the closure of State Road 1 in Dearborn County will have to stay off a couple county roads.

Dearborn County Commissioners held a special meeting Tuesday at which they unanimously approved an ordinance banning semi trucks on county roads as needed.

Once the ordinance was passed, county engineer Todd Listerman requested that Sawdon Ridge Road and York Ridge Road have signs prohibiting trucks posted. Those two roads in particular have seen increases in truck traffic since State Road 1 closed between Guilford and Dover on April 1. Residents have voiced their safety concerns to the commissioners.

County attorney Andrew Baudendistel said the restrictions on Sawdon Ridge and York Ridge will be in place for 60 days, but could be extended if the highway department thinks they should be. State Road 1 is expected to reopen by June 30. 

County administrator Sue Hayden says the highway department will post the signs this Friday, April 26.

“The commissioners would like to thank all of the citizens for their input, patience and cooperation while they worked through this process,” said Hayden.

According to the ordinance, the truck restriction applies to trucks of 40-feet or longer. The truck restriction only applies when the county highway department places a restriction sign on a road. A road could be off-limits to trucks permanently if commissioners and the highway department both believe such a restriction should be put in place.

An exception is made for local operation of trucks pickup up or delivering materials on a county-maintained road.

A violation will net a driver a fine up to $500 on a first offense, up to $1,000 on a second offense, and a fine of up to $2,500 for third and subsequent offenses.

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