Councilman Ron Robinson told the Gadsden City Council on Oct. 21 that residents have reported two recent incidents in which 18-wheelers entered the Bellevue Drive neighborhood, damaging utility infrastructure and creating safety hazards.

Robinson said delivery and tractor-trailer traffic has appeared in the neighborhood "twice now on the last couple weeks," including an incident that put a truck into the S-curve and knocked down a power pole and communications lines. "These 18 wheelers are getting off into the neighborhood up there, and they got into the S-curve last night, and knocked down some power pole off some, some AT&T lines, some power lines now," Robinson said. He described crews and city personnel responding and a police officer blocking the road while the vehicle was removed.

Robinson asked whether the city sign department could install "no truck" signage on routes where large trucks are creating hazards, while acknowledging that signs can be stolen and that some deliveries are legitimate. Other council members described having narrowly avoided collisions or observing trucks that could not complete turns. One speaker suggested using low-hanging height bars similar to those at hospital parking garages to deter over-height vehicles.

Council members noted constraints: part of the route (Highway 211) is a state highway, limiting the city's authority to change truck routing, and some heavy vehicles are performing legitimate deliveries to local businesses and residences. No formal motion or ordinance was introduced; the discussion was part of council remarks. Council members asked staff to look into signage options and route enforcement and said they will continue to monitor the problem.

This item produced no formal vote. Councilman Robinson framed the issue as a public-safety concern for older neighborhoods and called for practical steps to reduce the risk of repeated incidents.