Rock Hill council moves to restrict trucks on downtown streets
Truckers hauling freight through Rock Hill would have to be a little more careful where they turn if new trucking restrictions get the City Council’s approval.
The council gave its OK on Monday to a first reading to restrict large trucks from passing through certain streets in the downtown area.
The ban would apply to vehicles with three or more axles on portions of 13 different streets, particularly narrow streets within the business district.
In making the proposal, Deputy City Manager Jimmy Bagley told the council increasing truck traffic in downtown has raised concerns about congestion and public safety, especially as cyclists have proliferated in the city at the same time as big rigs.
“They try to back up, they can’t make turns, and they’ve run over the landscaping,” Bagley said of tractor-trailer truck drivers.
Last month, portions of a brick sidewalk and streetscaping were damaged when a tractor-trailer jackknifed on East Main Street near the new Fountain Park.
On another three streets that are under state maintenance – including two separate stretches of Black Street – the city plans to ask the S.C. Department of Transportation to enforce its own ban on multi-axled vehicles. Bagley said the city had to express a preference by changing its traffic control ordinance before officials could request the state do the same.
City officials hope truckers will use multilane routes such as Albright Road and Heckle Boulevard as bypasses around downtown Rock Hill. However, the ordinance still allows trucks to traverse downtown streets when they need to reach a location on one of the streets, or when a truck driver can’t get to his intended location without going down one of the closed sections.
Mayor Doug Echols expressed a concern that the new restrictions would “hinder delivery to businesses,” but Bagley assured the council most downtown traffic would be unaffected.
“Most (downtown businesses’) trucks are small, not tractor-trailers,” he said.
A notice of the restrictions would be posted at all crossroads and junctions leading into the areas where the truck regulations would be enforced. But Councilwoman Kathy Pender worried the new restrictions won’t have the desired effect if they aren’t shown on truckers’ preferred navigation tools: their GPS.
“If they’re not updated or don’t have the right street on them, they’ll send you right into downtown Rock Hill,” she said.
But if the proposed restrictions receive final approval, truckers would have to change their routes.
The measure will go into effect if it receives approval at a second and final reading at the next council meeting.
Bristow Marchant • 803-329-4062
Proposed truck restrictions
Streets where multi-axle trucks would not be able to operate, under the proposed city ordinance:
▪ White Street between Columbia Avenue/Constitution Boulevard and Confederate Avenue.
▪ Main Street between Dave Lyle Boulevard and Reid Street.
▪ Black Street between Dave Lyle Boulevard and Orange Street.
▪ Elizabeth Lane between Saluda Street/Johnston Street and White Street/Charlotte Avenue.
▪ Charlotte Avenue between Saluda Street/Johnston Street and Wilson Street.
▪ Hampton Street between Johnston Street and Main Street.
▪ Green Street between Johnston Street and Black Street.
▪ Saluda Street between Johnston Street/Elizabeth Lane and Main Street.
▪ Oakland Avenue between Main Street and Dave Lyle Boulevard overpass.
▪ Caldwell Street between Main Street and White Street.
▪ Peoples Place between Oakland Avenue and Charlotte Avenue.
▪ Southern Street between Dave Lyle Boulevard and Oakland Avenue.
▪ Piano Place between Southern Street and Dave Lyle Boulevard.
The city also plans to request the S.C. Department of Transportation to prevent multi-axle trucks from using:
▪ Black Street between Orange Street and Confederate Avenue.
▪ Black Street between Reid Street and Confederate Avenue.
▪ Oakland Avenue between Dave Lyle Boulevard overpass and Wilson Street.
City of Rock Hill
This story was originally published March 9, 2015 at 9:50 PM with the headline "Rock Hill council moves to restrict trucks on downtown streets."