Independence is considering legislation that would prohibit tractor-trailer traffic and other large vehicle traffic on Stephens Road from Fowler Creek Road, or Kentucky State Route 1486, to Oliver Road.
The Independence City Council performed the first reading of an ordinance that would ban vehicles weighing more than 11,000 pounds on the stretch of road in question at their meeting on Monday. The discussion at the meeting was preliminary, and the council may make additional changes to the ordinance before the next reading in January.
Following some discussion, the council exempted emergency vehicles, school buses and garbage trucks from the proposed law. Additionally, they also revised the punishment for violating the law from a misdemeanor to a city-imposed fee of $500 for first offenders and $750 for repeat offenders.
The council also added a stipulation that would allow people living nearby to apply for permits allowing them to use tractor trailers and heavy vehicles in one-off cases (e.g., if someone is moving out of their house). The permit would not cost anything.
Discussion among council members suggested they were worried about increased truck traffic that may arise from burgeoning development in the area.
“There’s going to come a time in spring and summer where there is a constant flow of trucks hauling, earth movers and concrete trucks and whatever else,” said Mayor Chris Reinersman. “I think that’s what we really want to make sure we are ready for.”
Signs would be posted on either end of the road warning drivers of the law if it’s passed.
The council will continue their discussion, perform a second reading of the ordinance and cast a vote when they meet again in January.
