Gadsden council adopts truck-route ordinance to limit truck traffic to state and federal routes

The Gadsden City Council on July 29 adopted an ordinance amending city code chapter 118, article 5, to limit truck routes within the city to state and federal routes, specify procedures for deviations to destination points inside the city and establish fines for violations. The ordinance, presented for second consideration at the meeting, restricts through truck routing to state and federal highways and creates a process by which vehicles may deviate from designated routes to reach destinations within city limits. The council voted to adopt the ordinance on voice vote after a motion and second. Councilwoman Latham later praised the change in the council remarks portion of the meeting, saying it will “make a big difference, a huge difference, in us passing it today and seeing it take place to make some of our neighborhoods even safer.” Her remark tied the newly adopted ordinance to expected neighborhood safety benefits but the ordinance text itself addresses routing and penalties rather than specific enforcement tactics local police will use. The ordinance establishes fines for violations; the council did not provide a detailed enforcement plan, fine schedule, or implementation timetable during the meeting. City staff will be responsible for administering the routing procedures established by the code amendment.