Nominal costs to install signs to provide notice of weight restricted roadways. (100% Local Road funds)
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.
After the study was released, the Contra Costa County Redevelopment Agency was 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.
Heavy commercial vehicles continue to utilize residential roads to cut through the North Richmond area and bypass roads more appropriate for commercial vehicles. This excess truck traffic on residential roadways, including roads near Verde Elementary School, is detrimental to public health, safety, and welfare. Health and safety impacts of truck traffic in these residential zones include excess noise, dust, fumes, and exhaust, and longer stopping distances, poorer visibility, and other traffic hazards due to the size and weight of the vehicles. Additionally, the residential roadways in North Richmond most impacted by this traffic were not designed or constructed for this volume of commercial truck traffic of this weight and size.
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 near Verde Elementary School. Unincorporated County roadways, Richmond Parkway and Parr Boulevard, are appropriate to serve as alternate routes for commercial trucks to travel to and from the east and west sides of North Richmond to bypass these residential areas. Richmond Parkway is appropriate as an alternate route for commercial trucks to travel to and from the north and south sides of North Richmond to bypass these residential areas.
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-thoughs, the Public Works Department recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt this ordinance to restrict commercial vehicles with a gross weight of more than 20,000 pounds from using these residential roads. This weight restriction will be enforced after signage is posted giving notice of the restriction.
The ordinance will not be adopted. Commercial vehicles with a gross weight of more than 20,000 pounds will be able to continue to use Fred Jackson Way, Market Avenue, Chesley Avenue, Gertrude Avenue, First Street, Fifth Street, and Sixth Street, which will result in continued unsafe conditions and traffic hazards along residential streets in North Richmond and near Verde Elementary School.