By Adam Aasen
Outdoor diners were enjoying a meal on Carmel’s Main Street one night when a large semi-truck started making its way down the narrow, two-lane road.
Not only did onlookers say they were concerned about the weight limit on the roads, but it appeared this tall truck might hit the overhanging traffic lights on Range Line Road.
“He’s not going to make it, just watch,” one diner said.
Sure enough, the truck hit the lights and police were called on the scene.
Onlookers wondered aloud why the trucks continue to drive down Carmel’s historic downtown when the City Council already passed a law clearly banning such oversized vehicles from certain streets.
That’s because enforcement had not kicked in yet. Carmel’s street dept. recently put up signs to alert truckers of the law change, but before there was signage the law couldn’t have been enforced.
“The police department is aware that the signs are up and I had a talk with the chief and he said have a plan in place to enforce so the word will get out,” City Councilor Rick Sharp, sponsor of the bill, said.
Passed unanimously last month, the ordinance adds the following streets to the existing code: Old Meridian Street, Guilford Road from 116th Street to Old Meridian, Main Street from Illinois Street to Keystone Parkway, 116th Street from Illinois Street to Rohrer Road and Illinois Street from 116th Street to 136th Street. Local deliveries would be an exception.
The ordinance is in response to many trucks cutting through these roads because of construction on U.S. 31. City officials are concerned about increased wear and tear on these streets because of the added traffic. And in some cases – such as trucks getting stuck on roundabouts – these roads weren’t built for vehicles that size to turn.
City Council President Eric Seidentsticker said he expects trucking companies to adapt.
“They know it’s there,” he said. “Their logistics teams don’t want to see them lose time and get fined.”
Residents are urged to report any weight limit violators by calling the non-emergency police department number at 571-2500.
