Public works committee backs ordinance to route large commercial trucks around Downtown Jonesboro

An ordinance that would establish an alternative commercial truck route to keep nonlocal large trucks off downtown Jonesboro’s core streets was recommended for the full City Council by the City of Jonesboro Public Works Committee after public comment and staff discussion.

The ordinance, introduced as Ordinance 25-016, would prohibit nonlocal class‑1 and class‑2 (or larger) commercial trucks from using Union, Main and Church streets between Highland Drive and Johnson Avenue except for local deliveries, and would add truck‑route signage and a graduated fine schedule for violations. The committee voted to forward the ordinance to the full council for the first of three readings.

Committee members and staff said the proposal responds to recent downtown closures and high pedestrian activity. The ordinance text references an existing city definition of “truck” and Arkansas Code language cited by staff; it routes tractor‑trailers via Highland Drive to Johnson Avenue and proposes temporary detours while downtown work continues. Committee discussion addressed timing, traffic geometry and the practicality of sustaining temporary detours until the ordinance completes three readings.

“Pedestrians…we feel really safe,” said Andy Shatley, chairman of the connectivity committee, describing feedback from downtown businesses and patrons after recent construction and demolition activity. Shatley urged preserving pedestrian safety while the city studies other long‑term changes to downtown traffic patterns.

Resident Denise Goacher, 308 South Main Street, urged the committee to accelerate the change, saying the temporary detour already in place has been effective: “We’re really trying to get it expedited because it has been the track the trucking has been rerouted already, so we’re hoping that that those routes would remain as soon as Main Street opened again.” Committee members and staff replied that the ordinance contains no emergency clause and that state/local procedural requirements mean the earliest it could complete the three readings would be about six weeks.

A downtown building owner who spoke during public comment said truck traffic has damaged vehicles and shaken structures. She said, “My husband has had 2 semi trucks rip off his mirror off his truck twice…we have the balcony, we oversee the walkways and the big trucks, they don't stop for pedestrians at all,” and added that vibrations from large trucks can harm old buildings.

Staff traffic engineering noted a short‑term operational concern if Main Street is returned to two‑way traffic south of Washington: large tractor‑trailers may need extra width to make rights without intruding on other lanes, and the city might temporarily narrow lanes to accommodate turns during a detour period. Staff identified Highland Drive to Johnson Avenue (via Redwood/Red Wolf/Redwood corridor as discussed) as the intended ultimate truck route.

The ordinance text states fines for trucks found in the protected zone and not on a local delivery: $250 for a first offense; $500 for a second and third offense; $750 for a fourth offense and thereafter. Committee members said signage and public notice would accompany any adopted truck‑route change.

Because the ordinance carries no emergency clause, committee members and staff said it will be read at the next regular council meeting and then twice more, with the first reading scheduled at least two weeks after referral. The committee’s motion to recommend the ordinance to the full council passed and the item will appear on the full council agenda for the formal three‑reading process.

Committee action Thursday was limited to forwarding the ordinance; no final citywide prohibition or fine enforcement is in effect until the City Council completes the required readings and any ordinance adoption.