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Conduct a noticed public hearing to consider the adoption of a resolution approving Traffic Order 438 establishing a 7-ton load limit restriction for commercial trucks on Boyce Road, Byrnes Road, Gaddini Road, Halley Road, Hawkins Road, Lake Herman Road, Maple Road, North Meridian Road, Pitt School Road, Poplar Road, Putah Creek Road, Sievers Road, Stevenson Bridge Road, Sweeney Road, Walnut Road, Weber Road, Willow Road, and Wolfskill Road
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Published Notice Required? Yes _X__ No __ _
Public Hearing Required? Yes __X__ No __ _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors conduct a noticed public hearing to consider the adoption of a resolution approving Traffic Order 438 establishing a 7-ton load limit restriction for commercial trucks on Boyce Road, Byrnes Road, Gaddini Road, Halley Road, Hawkins Road, Lake Herman Road, Maple Road, North Meridian Road, Pitt School Road, Poplar Road, Putah Creek Road, Sievers Road, Stevenson Bridge Road, Sweeney Road, Walnut Road, Weber Road, Willow Road, and Wolfskill Road.
SUMMARY:
Over the past five years, some truck traffic has shifted from interstate and state highways to County and local roads. These roads were not designed to accommodate the size and weight of heavy commercial trucks, resulting in pavement damage, safety concerns, and public complaints.
Over the last two years, the Department of Resource Management has conducted Engineering and Traffic Surveys (ETS), reviewed pavement and collision data, investigated complaints, and evaluated roadway conditions in accordance with the California Vehicle Code (CVC). On July 22, 2025, the Board established official Truck Routes through the Road Improvement Standards and Land Development Requirements to guide truck traffic to roads designed to accommodate it, and to facilitate planned road maintenance. However, establishing load limits on certain non-truck-route roads remains necessary to discourage trucks from using unsuitable County roads
Based on public input, engineering data analysis, and roadway evaluations, the Department is recommends establishing load limits on the roads listed in Attachment A. Adoption of the proposed Resolution (Attachment B) would result in fourteen new load limited corridors on Byrnes Road, Halley Road, Hawkins Road, Lake Herman Road, North Meridian Road, Pitt School Road, Sievers Road, Stevenson Bridge Road, Sweeney Road, Weber Road, Maple Road, Poplar Road, Walnut Road, and Willow Road. The locations of the specific road segments are shown on the location map (Attachment C).
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget. The estimated cost of installing signs is $750 per sign and paid for by the Road Fund, with no impact to the General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
Various County roads that serve east-west and north-south connections near Interstate 505 and Interstate 80 have seen significant increases in truck traffic. The Department has received numerous complaints regarding trucks using these roads to bypass congestion on the interstate system. These roadways were not designed to carry heavy truck loads and have experienced significant pavement deterioration, including rutting and structural degradation.
Increased truck activity may be attributable to new truck distribution centers near Interstate 505 and Midway Road, aggregate hauling to Dixon, and congestion at the Interstate 80/Interstate 505 interchange. Establishing a 7-ton weight limit on targeted County roads would discourage trucks from rerouting onto these facilities and help reduce pavement damage.
The Department also received complaints from the Bicycle Advisory Committee regarding trucks creating “squeeze” situations (lack-of-road-width) for cyclists on Lake Herman Road and Stevenson Bridge Road.
The Department reviewed the network of roads commonly used as cut-through routes and then developed a targeted set of load limited corridors. Approval of Traffic Order 438 will result in 7-ton weight limit restrictions on the following roads:
1) Boyce Road - Wolfskill Road to Putah Creek Road;
2) Byrnes Road - Hawkins Road to Weber Road;
3) Gaddini Road - Wolfskill Road to Putah Creek Road;
4) Halley Road - Sweeney Road to Wolfskill Road;
5) Hawkins Road - 0.50 miles east of Leisure Town Road to State Route 113;
6) Lake Herman Road - 0.65 miles east of Columbus Parkway to the city limit line for the City of Benicia;
7) Maple Road - 0.16 miles east of Leisure Town Road to 0.5 miles east of Willow Road;
8) North Meridian Road - Dixon Avenue West to Sweeney Road;
9) Pitt School Road - Hawkins Road to Porter Road;
10) Poplar Road - 0.16 miles east of Leisure Town Road to 0.5 miles east of Willow Road;
11) Putah Creek Road - Gaddini Road to Stevenson Bridge Road;
12) Sievers Road - Halley Road to Pedrick Road;
13) Stevenson Bridge Road - Putah Creek Road to Sievers Road;
14) Sweeney Road - Tubbs Road to North Meridian Road;
15) Weber Road - 0.1 miles east of Byrnes Road to Pitt School Road;
16) Walnut Road - Orange Drive to 0.4 miles east of Willow Road;
17) Willow Road - Maple Road to 0.3 miles north of Walnut Road; and
18) Wolfskill Road - Winters Road to Halley Road.
The proposed load restrictions are authorized under California Vehicle Code §21101(c), which allows local agencies to prohibit certain vehicles from using designated roadways. Pursuant to the CVC and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD), engineering and traffic surveys conducted and evaluated by an engineer are required for the justification of any speed limits or placement of any regulatory signs (stop, yield, speed limit, or similar road signage) established by the Board. The Department’s Traffic Engineer conducted and evaluated the necessary engineering and traffic surveys.
The CVC also requires 60-day public notice prior to establishing weight limits. The Department published notices in the Daily Republic, Vacaville Reporter, and Vallejo Times Herald (See Public Hearing Notice, Attachment D). After requested by the Department, the California Highway Patrol review took no issue with the road list. The recommended weight limits will have no impact on agricultural trucks and equipment as they are specifically excluded from the Traffic Order. All regulatory signs placed will have the agricultural exemption noted to assist truck drivers and law enforcement.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose to not adopt the resolution approving Traffic Order 438; however, this is not recommended as these Traffic Orders have been reviewed by the Traffic Engineer and will establish safe and enforceable traffic conditions.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION