CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Waive the first reading and pass the ordinances amending the Naperville Municipal Code to comply with new IDOT terminology and City weight restrictions and adopt the associated IDOT resolution (requires six positive votes)
body
DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Michael Prousa, TED Project Manager
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
On June 1, 2023, the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) recommended approval to amend the existing truck route ordinances to comply with new Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) terminology and city weight restrictions (approved 6-0). Staff concurs.
BACKGROUND:
In 2020, as part of an effort to clean up and simplify truck route classifications and terminology, IDOT made changes to the Illinois Vehicle Code Section 1-126.1, 15-107, 15-116, and 15-316. In order to comply with the changes, staff has been working with IDOT, the Naperville Police Department, and the Legal Department to update the current truck route ordinances.
Naperville’s original truck route ordinance was established in 1985 (Title 11 Chapter 3) and restricts vehicles in excess of 8,000 pounds (four tons) to the specific routes identified in Schedule V of Section 11-1-5.
Vehicles exceeding 8,000 pounds are allowed to operate on non-designated streets using a direct route from the truck route to their destination for the purposes of delivery, pick-up, or services.
DISCUSSION:
Prior to this clean up, the Illinois Vehicle Code defined roadways in eight different classifications:
1. State Highway Class 1 (Interstates, expressways, tollways)
2. State Highway Class II (Major arterials with at least 11 ft. lanes)
3. State Highway Class III (Highways with lane widths less than 11 ft.)
4. State Highway Non-Designated (Highways not designated as Class I, II or III)
5. Local Highway Class II (Major arterials with at least 11 ft. lanes)
6. Local Highway Class III (Highways with lane widths less than 11 ft.)
7. Local Highway Non-Designated (Highways not designated as Class I, II or III)
8. Locally Preferred Truck Routes
Three new classifications are listed below:
1. Class I (Interstates expressways, tollways)
2. Class II (State and Local Designated highways with at least 11 ft. lanes)
3. Non-Designated (all other State and Local Highways)
Attachment 1
Of the three new classifications, Naperville has one Class I (I-88) and two Class II (Route 59 and 75th Street) routes which are maintained by other jurisdictions and several Non-designated Local Highways that are shown in Attachment 1.
After reviewing the City’s current Non-designated Local Highways, staff is adding Ambassador Drive and Freedom Drive to the category. Ambassador Drive is a 25-mph connector and runs through an industrial park that is also bordered by other Non-designated Local Highways. Freedom Drive is a 35-mph major arterial that connects Diehl Road to the I88 on/off ramps. Including Ambassador Drive and Freedom Drive on the Non-designated Local Highway list will not only lessen confusion for drivers along with including important connections for tractor semi-trailer vehicles.
Attachment 2
The Truck Routes Traffic Schedule in the Naperville Municipal Code will be updated to clean up streets that are labeled wrong or not maintained by the City. This update will also bring the Traffic Schedule up to date with current terminology used by IDOT and other municipalities in the area. Attachment 2 shows the updated ordinance.
Attachment 3
At this time, 8,000 pounds (four tons), is the current weight restriction on streets outside of the Non-Designated Local Highways category. After consulting with the Police Department and Legal Department, staff is proposing to increase the weight restriction to six tons or 12,000 pounds. This new weight restriction will be in line with surrounding municipalities and personal use vehicles. This update can be found in Attachment 3.
Attachment 4
IDOT has established a map on its website at Getting Around Illinois <https://gettingaroundillinois.com/> that identifies Class I and II routes and road segments with weight restrictions. Local agencies may report streets with weight restrictions to IDOT to be included on the map. As such, the City will send a list of arterial road segments that are not in the Non-designated Local Highways category, have a high volume of resident concerns regarding truck use, and have high rates of weight violations. This list of streets can be found in Attachment 4.
Upon approval, staff from TED and Public Works will coordinate the implementation of the associated sign revisions. Specifically, existing Class II and III signs on Naperville streets will be removed and new signs with the revised weight limits will be posted on side streets adjacent to Route 59, 75th Street, or other Naperville streets in the Non-designated Local Highways category.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Additional signage is expected to be between $20,000 and $30,000.