TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the recommendation to amend the existing truck route ordinances to comply with new IDOT terminology and city weight restrictions.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Michael Prousa, TED Project Manager
BACKGROUND:
In 2020 the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) made changes to the Illinois Vehicle Code Section 1-126.1, 15-107, 15-116, and 15-316. The changes were a part of an effort to clean up and simplify truck route classifications. Staff has been working with IDOT, the Naperville Police Department, and the Naperville Legal Department to update the current truck route ordinances to comply with the new terminology in the Illinois Vehicle Code.
Naperville’s original truck route ordinance was established in 1985 (Title 11 Chapter 3 of the Naperville Municipal Code). This section of the code restricts vehicles in excess of 8,000 pounds (4 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:
• State Highway Class 1 (Interstates, expressways, tollways)
• State Highway Class II (Major arterials with at least 11 ft. lanes)
• State Highway Class III (Highways with lane widths less than 11 ft.)
• State Highway Non-Designated (Highways not designated as Class I, II or III)
• Local Highway Class II (Major arterials with at least 11 ft. lanes)
• Local Highway Class III (Highways with lane widths less than 11 ft.)
• Local Highway Non-Designated (Highways not designated as Class I, II or III)
• Locally Preferred Truck Routes
The three new classifications are listed below:
• Class I (Interstates expressways, tollways)
• Class II (State and Local Designated highways with at least 11 ft. lanes)
• Non-Designated (all other State and Local Highways)
Naperville has one Class I (I-88) and two Class II (Route 59 and 75th Street) routes that run through the city. These are all maintained by other jurisdictions. Naperville does have several non-designated local highways that are shown on the Highway Class and Weight Restriction Map in attachment 1. Non-designated local highways are routes that tractor semi-trailer vehicles that are over 6 tons (12,000 pounds) can use when traveling through the city.
After reviewing the city’s current non-designated local highways, the city is adding Ambassador Drive and Freedom Drive to that list. 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 lessen confusion for drivers along with including important connections for Tractor Semi-Trailer vehicles.
The Truck Routes Traffic Schedule in the Naperville Municipal Code is to be updated to clean up streets that are labeled wrong or not maintained by the city. This update will bring the traffic schedule up to date with current terminology used by IDOT and other municipalities in the area. Ambassador Drive and Freedom Drive will be included in this traffic schedule. Attachment 2 shows the updated ordinance.
The current city ordinance detailing weight restrictions on streets that are not non-designated local highways is 4 tons or 8,000 pounds. After consulting with the police department and legal department, staff is proposing to move the weight restriction up to 6 tons or 12,000 pounds. This new weight restriction will be in line with surrounding municipalities and personal use vehicles. 11-3-1 in the Municipal Code is being updated to bring it up to date with IDOT terminology and the city’s new weight restrictions for roads that are not non-designated local highways. This update can be found in attachment 3.
IDOT has established a map on their website that identifies Class I and II routes and road segments with weight restrictions. Local agencies may also report streets with weight restrictions to IDOT to be included on their truck route map. Since every roadway in Naperville that is not a non-designated local highway has a weight restriction of 6 tons, adding them all to the IDOT map would be confusing and not effective for tractor semi-trailer vehicles. The city will send a list of arterial road segments that are not listed as non-designated local highways, have a high volume of resident concerns regarding truck use, and high rates of weight violations given by the Naperville Police Department. This list of streets can be found in attachment 4. The IDOT map detailing these restrictions can be found at gettingaroundillinois.com under the Designated Truck Route tab. Increasing the availability of this information on a regional basis may help truck drivers to improve their route planning and avoid inappropriate use of these restricted streets.
If this revised ordinance is approved, TED and Public Works Department staff will coordinate implementation of the associated sign revisions. Existing Class II and III signs on Naperville streets will be removed. New signs with the revised weight limits will be posted on side streets adjacent to Route 59, 75th Street, or other Naperville non-designated local highways.