SELLERSBURG, Ind. (WDRB) — Sellersburg is banning semitrucks from eight local roads as the town works to keep tractor-trailers off residential streets that officials said aren't designed to handle them.
The restrictions come as a major construction project to update and improve U.S. 31 in town has prompted some truck drivers to look for alternate routes. Town officials said some drivers are following GPS directions onto local roads and ignoring signs telling them not to turn.
For Cathy Davidson, who lives on Hauss Avenue, the problem has resulted in repeated damage to her property.
"This is the third time I've had a semi come and cause damage through my flower bed, through my yard, tearing out electrical wires," Davidson said.
Davidson said the town previously tried to prevent trucks from entering her street by placing physical barriers in the roadway.
"The town of Sellersburg had come out and put up horses and cones, but that didn't stop them," she said. "They ran right over the cones and right over the horses."
Sellersburg Town Manager Charlie Smith said the town already had signs telling drivers not to take certain roads, but drivers have not always followed the posted restrictions.
Now, following last week's unanimous council vote, Sellersburg has an ordinance that prohibits semitrucks on these roads:Â
- Allhands Avenue
- Hauss Avenue
- Highland Avenue
- Shirley Avenue
- Schellers Avenue
- Sellers Avenue
- St. Paul Street
- Oak Street
Smith said the roads affected are residential streets and are not built to accommodate tractor-trailers.
"Whether they're following GPS, Google Maps, it's just taking them through the quickest way," Smith said. "But they're not taking into account these are residential streets. These are not highways. These are not county roadways. They're not designed for semitrucks."
Officials said construction has created additional challenges for drivers trying to navigate through town, but they are asking truck drivers to follow posted signs rather than relying solely on navigation apps.
"We know there's a lot of construction going on here in town," Smith said. "We know it's frustrating. We know tempers get flared and there's a lot of stuff to pay attention to. Pay attention to the signs."
Construction on U.S. 31 is expected to be finished in November and officials believe that will also help alleviate some of the issues with semis.
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