Truck Restrictions
Background
The City maintains a Truck Route Map with routes and restrictions. All streets that currently have “No Through Truck Signs” are listed in the City Code section 10-1-15.1. Unless permitted by the City’s Truck Route Map or otherwise posted, the maximum dimensions and weight for vehicles is as follows:
Dimension Restrictions:
- Width: 8 feet, or 8 feet 6 inches for 15+ passenger buses
- Height: 13 feet 6 inches
- Length: 40 feet for all single unit vehicles; 60 feet for all buses; 55 feet for all semi-trailers and other combinations of vehicles*
Weight Restrictions:
- Weight on any one axle: 21,000 pounds
- Weight on any two consecutive axles less than 10 feet apart: 34,000 pounds
No Through Truck Requests
The City maintains a Truck Route Map that that depicts streets in which large trucks (tractor truck, trailers, or semi-trailers) are restricted. Pickup trucks and smaller panel trucks are exempt. Restricting large trucks from local, residential streets maintains the character of the community, decreases frequency for asphalt and pavement maintenance and ensures large trucks are traveling along designated truck routes. Drivers sometimes disregard these routes and use neighborhood streets as cut-throughs. To reduce unpermitted truck access on these roadways, the City will deploy “No Through Truck” signage on streets that meet the criteria for cut-through truck traffic.
Residents of certain streets may apply for “No Through Truck” signage by following the process outlined below. Streets must first meet the eligibility criteria and then an application and petition may be submitted by a resident or civic association to request signage.
ELIGIBILITY
Streets MUST meet the following criteria:
- Roadway Classification (based on VDOT Classification Roadway Map)
- Local Road
- Residential Collector
- There must be a reasonable Alternate Route Available
- The roadway cannot have been applied for and denied within the past five years
If you are unsure if you your street meets the criteria, please email the Traffic Engineering Division to request their guidance. If your street does meet the criteria, please fill out the No Through Truck Application and submit it to the Traffic Engineering Division.
Once you application has been received, staff will verify eligibility and will collect the necessary data to determine if your street meets at least one of the following criteria:
- Truck Volume must be at least 5% of total daily traffic volume
- Crash history (of crashes involving at least one truck) must show at least one truck related crash in the previous three years
- Street Design must have lane widths or travel way less than 10’ in one direction OR a tight radius curves/corners that cannot be navigated by trucks
Process
- Review eligibility criteria and submit application to the Traffic Engineering Division
- Along with application, please have neighbors complete and sign attached Support Form.
- Fifty percent (50%) of residents or occupants of the proposed street segment must be in favor with the proposed restriction.
- If the application meets the initial eligibility criteria, the City will conduct a Truck Restriction Traffic Investigation and collect necessary data to determine if the request shall be approved or denied.
- Once investigation is complete, city staff will inform Project Champion and nearby civic associations of findings and eligibility.
- If approved, the findings of the investigation will be docketed for a Public Hearing before the Traffic and Parking Board for a recommendation to City Council. The Project Champion is expected to attend the Traffic and Parking Board public hearing and provide testimony.
- If recommended, the proposal will be docketed for a City Council public hearing. The Project Champion is expected to attend the City Council hearing and provide testimony.
- If approved, the City will update all maps and provide notice for motorists and the community.
- The City will install the signs and coordinate with City of Alexandria’s Police Department for enforcement efforts.