§ 18-36. Heavy traffic routes.

(a)

Definition. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Heavy traffic means the following:

(1)

All vehicles not operating completely on pneumatic tires; and

(2)

All vehicles or combination of vehicles, other than motor buses, designed or used for transporting property of any nature, including recreational vehicles which are licensed for gross weight of over 26,000 pounds, but shall not include unloaded trucks.

(b)

Restriction. The village board does hereby determine that it shall be unlawful for any vehicle to operate on the village streets which is in excess of six ton single-axel/ten ton tandem axel. Penalties for failure to conform to weight limits will be the same as they are for the state.

(c)

Prohibited routes. Heavy traffic is prohibited from using any village street or highway not designated as a heavy traffic route. This section shall not act to prohibit heavy traffic from using a village street or highway for the purpose of obtaining orders for supplies or moving or delivering supplies or commodities to or from any place of business or residence which has an entrance on such street or highway. Furthermore, this section will not act to prohibit heavy traffic from using any village streets over which are routed state trunk highways. When being driven to the site of any construction, repair or maintenance of electric, gas or water service, vehicles owned and operated by a public utility will be exempt from the provisions of this section.

(d)

Administration. The police department and the public works director shall administer this section. Administration shall include:

(1)

Posting of signs. Appropriate signs shall be posted giving notice of this section and of the heavy traffic routes established herein. Yellow sign posts may also be used to designate heavy traffic routes.

(2)

Construction equipment. The village will grant temporary access to allow heavy construction equipment and construction supplies to use village streets or highways not designated as heavy traffic routes, where building permits have been issued. This access is intended to be granted only when use of a nondesignated route is necessary for the equipment and/or supplies to reach a construction site.

(e)

Liability. Any operator, corporation, owner or agent whose vehicle negligently damages any village street or highway in violation of this section shall be held liable for such damages and required to pay the village the cost of repair or replacement of the damaged street or highway.

(f)

Special and seasonal weight limitations. The director of public works and/or the chief of police have the authority to restrict the turning or movement of heavy traffic and to impose special weight limitations on any highway, street, right-of-way or portions thereof, which, because of the weakness of the roadbed due to deterioration or climatic conditions or other special or temporary conditions, would likely be seriously damaged or destroyed in the absence of any restrictions on heavy traffic movement or special weight limitations. No prohibition, restriction or limitation on parking or restriction on movement or turning of heavy traffic and imposition of special weight limits is effective unless official traffic control devices have been placed or erected indicating the particular prohibition, restriction or limitation.

(g)

Heavy traffic routes designated. In addition to the restrictions in subsection (a) of this section, all streets and alleys within the village are designated class "B" highways subject to the weight limitations of Wis. Stats. § 348.16, except the streets or parts thereof that are hereby designated heavy traffic routes by the village board from time to time and are excepted from the class "B" weight limitations.

(Code 1990, § 10-1-11; Ord. of 11-2-1998; Ord. of 12-6-1999)