In February 2007, the former Contra Costa County Redevelopment Agency prepared the North Richmond Truck Route Study to develop an alternative route for trucks to reduce truck traffic in the residential area of North Richmond and Verde Elementary School, and to establish a link to major transportation corridors, including Richmond Parkway. The study designated unincorporated County roadways Richmond Parkway and Parr Boulevard as an alternative truck route to the east side of North Richmond. Trucks exceeding weight limits on weight-restricted designated unincorporated county and city roadways will be entitled to travel through the weight-restricted area using reasonably direct routes.
On February 1, 2012, all California Redevelopment Agencies, including the Contra Costa County Redevelopment Agency were dissolved by State law. No project has since been developed to reduce truck traffic in the residential area on North Richmond and Verde Elementary School.
After receiving ongoing complaints from residents about heavy trucks passing through local residential streets in North Richmond, the community requested that Contra Costa County Public Works Department restrict heavy trucks from using their roadways as a bypass to destinations outside of North Richmond. The County has developed a truck restriction sign plan designed to reduce truck traffic in the residential area of North Richmond and Verde Elementary School. Unincorporated County roadways Richmond Parkway and Parr Boulevard may serve as an alternative route for commercial trucks to travel to and from the east and west sides of North Richmond. Richmond Parkway may serve as an alternate route for commercial trucks to travel to and from the north and south sides of North Richmond.
It should be noted that this 10 Ton truck restriction matches those already established just south of North Richmond by the City of Richmond on their neighborhood roadways.
In order to prohibit heavy trucks from using the neighborhood roads Fred Jackson Way, Market Avenue, Chesley Avenue, Gertrude Avenue, First Street, Fifth Street, and Sixth Street as cut-throughs, the Public Works Department recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt an ordinance to restrict commercial vehicles with a gross weight of more than 20,000 pounds (10 Ton) from using these roadways, subject to exceptions prescribed by law.
The ordinance will not be introduced, and the 10 ton weight restriction shall not be imposed on neighborhood roads.