Recommendation
Staff Recommendation: Engineering staff has reviewed this item and understands the intent of this request to restrict thru trucking on Guthrie Road from Racine Avenue to Sunset Drive. Currently Sunset Drive has a 3 Ton truck restriction from Les Paul Parkway to Racine Avenue. A truck driver would be "stuck" if they were unable to turn in any direction because of the proposed truck restrictions. CTH U has no weight restrictions for trucking.
Upon further research, the northern 250 feet section of Guthrie Road at Racine Avenue is, in fact, Waukesha Township jurisdiction and they would have to approve a restriction also. However, this section of road may be signed for a 5 ton limit at the intersection of Racine Avenue by placing the sign in County right of way with their permission. During previous discussions on this topic, it was stated that Guthrie Road could not be restricted unless the current 3 Ton weight restriction on Sunset Drive is removed. Again the same issue arises where Waukesha Township owns a 300 foot section of Sunset Drive near Racine Ave and they will need to approve removal of the 3 Ton restriction. In addition to the issue of jurisdiction, the public works department best practice is to set weight limits based on design and classification of the roadway, ie. pavement thickness or anticipated stress on the pavement from traffic, not based on traffic patterns.
Subsequent to the last committee meeting where this item was discussed, the City had made contact with the Town of Waukesha to inquire about removing the 3 ton weight limit on Sunset Drive. The Town did not have any objections to it, but did make engineering staff aware that discussions are ongoing between Town and City on a possible jurisdictional transfer of the Township's portions of Sunset Drive to the City. Not much is known of the status of these discussions. The Public Works Department has discussed this topic internally and we support the removal of the 3 ton weight limit subject to concurrence from the Town of Waukesha to remove their restriction also. However, at this time, staff recommendation is to hold this item until more is known of the possible jurisdictional transfer discussions with the Township.
Recommended Motion: Move to place this item on hold until the September 15, 2014 Buildings & Grounds meeting.