SMITHFIELD – Enforcement of the new trucking ban on Greenville Avenue is a work in progress, says Town Manager Bob Seltzer and the Police Department.
Deputy Chief Mike Smith updated Seltzer Friday on the department’s approach since the Rhode Island Department of Transportation installed new signs on Oct. 23.
Smith said Officer Neil Marcoccio conducted several traffic posts on the road, resulting in five or six warnings and no citations to date.
The state has not yet provided specific language detailing the exact restrictions based on the signed legislation, said Smith.
As posted, commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 10,000 pounds are prohibited on Greenville Avenue unless conducting local business, he said. Consequently, standard commercial vehicles, such as 1-ton pickup trucks (Ford F-350 or Chevy 3500 used by landscapers), are currently in violation, he said.
“I do not believe this aligns with the intent or spirit of the legislation,” he said. “The posted signage does not only restrict large 50-foot tractor trailers.”
Neighborhood residents have reported seeing numerous truck drivers still taking the shortcut.
The Local Insider reported on about the new ban on Oct. 23.
