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Residents ask Gibson County to limit commercial truck traffic on County Road 350 South
Summary
Residents presented a petition asking commissioners to restrict through commercial truck traffic on County Road 350 South, citing safety concerns after multiple rollover crashes. Commissioners agreed to place the item on the next agenda and said they will contact Toyota and pursue signage and grant options including a Safe Streets grant.
Residents of County Road 350 South urged the Gibson County Commissioners on Monday to restrict through commercial truck traffic on the 2.5-mile stretch between County Road 100 East and County Road 350 East, saying the narrow road and nearby school bus and recreational activity make current truck volumes dangerous.
A resident who presented a multi-page petition said, “The road is not designed for the width of these vehicles,” citing multiple recent off-road rollovers and daily access by school buses and soccer complex traffic. The petition asks the county to “restrict the use of the 2.5 mile section for commercial, 18-wheel tractor-trailer vehicles” while allowing county and seasonal agricultural traffic.
Commissioners and staff discussed immediate steps. Matt (highway superintendent) said the county cannot impose load limits because there is no posted bridge restriction on that segment, and enforcement would require sheriff’s resources. He suggested sign placement and reiterated past outreach to Toyota asking its vendors to use state highways rather than county cut-throughs.
Commissioner Burns and other commissioners said signage and increased enforcement helped in past projects; officials also noted that presence of law enforcement or a parked patrol vehicle during a period of solar-construction work produced a measurable slowing of traffic.
Jason (county staff) and others said the county has applied for a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, which would fund a safety action plan and public meetings to identify targeted improvements and candidate projects. County staff said if awarded, the plan could be completed over the winter and be used to submit infrastructure projects for funding next summer.
After discussion, a county official recommended placing the truck-restriction request on the next commissioners meeting agenda so Toyota and other stakeholders can be notified and heard. Commissioners voted to put the item on the next agenda and to prepare proposed language focused on “no through commercial truck traffic” for that segment.
Commissioners also discussed interim measures: relocating existing “no trucks” signage to more effective locations, contacting Toyota to ask vendors to use state and federal highways, and possibly installing advisory/no-through-traffic signs at the 100 East and 350 East approaches. They acknowledged enforcement limits and the likelihood that signage alone will not stop all drivers, but said it could deter some non-local truck drivers who follow posted routes.
The commissioners directed staff to: notify Toyota and suppliers of the pending agenda item, prepare proposed ordinance/notice language for consideration, and identify feasible short-term signage placements. The item will return for formal consideration at the next meeting.
