MILTON — Public Works staffers seek the City Council’s permission to place signage along U.S. Highway 90 to warn semi truck drivers from making a dangerous turn onto North Willing Street.
Public Works Director George Rials said concerns arose after several incidents in which sidewalks and pedestrian crossing signals received damage from semi trucks making the northbound turn while traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 90.
Rials said public safety is the primary concern.
“If you have someone standing at that crossing, heaven forbid they are elderly and they cannot react quick, and a truck hits them,” Rials said.
In a statement, Rials said other routes are better suited for westbound traffic, including large trucks, turning north. Those northbound routes include the intersection of Highway 90 and Stewart Street or the intersection of Highway 90 and Dogwood Drive.
Once approved by council, Rials said signage reading “No Thru Trucks” would be placed along Highway 90 near the Willing Street intersection and along city streets connecting to Willing. For signs placed along Highway 90, the city would first need approval from the Florida Department of Transportation.
“FDOT and their response to permitting can take a couple of months,” Rials said.
Damage from the semi trucks will bare no cost to the city, due to an agreement with FDOT to maintain such roadside items, Rials said.
The public safety item will be part of the consent agenda during Tuesday’s council meeting scheduled for 5:15 p.m. at city hall.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: ‘No Thru Trucks’ signs considered for North Willing