Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RALPH ANSAMI
Ironwood — The vehicle weight restriction ordinance adopted by the Ironwood City Commission on Monday sets a 30,000-pound limit.
While the ordinance was designed to keep big trucks rigs off McLeod Avenue and Ayer Street, that doesn’t mean vehicles with heavier loads can’t use those streets.
Ironwood Public Safety Department Director Andrew DiGiorgio noted vehicles doing business along those streets, but exceeding the weight limits, will be allowed to make routine deliveries, taking the most direct routes possible.
DiGiorgio said many big rig operators coming from U.S. 51 in Hurley have been avoiding the Department of Transportation scales on U.S. 2 by taking McLeod or Ayer.
He said four areas of “traffic conflicts” have been identified along McLeod and Ayer and noted there are two access points available to truckers to the city’s industrial park coming off U.S. 2.
DiGiorgio also pointed out that there’s not much of a difference in distance or time from Hurley if a truck travels along U.S. 2, rather than using McLeod.
The ordinance also makes exceptions to the 30,000-pound limit for school buses, emergency vehicles, utility vehicles and vehicles operated by the city.
The ordinance sets up a permissible truck route that includes U.S. 2 (Cloverland Drive), the U.S. 2 Business Route, Easy Street, Commerce Street, Liberty Street, Country Club Road north of Ayer, Wall Street, Old County Road from South Davis to County Club Road and Luxmore Street, from Wall Street to U.S. 2.
Violations of the ordinance constitute a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500 and the costs of prosecution. or jail time of up to 90 days, or both.
The ordinance sets up a process by which special permits can be obtained for non-conforming vehicles.
Although it was opposed by several area business owners and the Ironwood Industrial Development Corporation, the ordinance, designed to protect the street surfaces and reduce complaints, passed 3-1, with Dave Sim opposed and Rick Semo absent.
