Polk restricts truck traffic on township roads

Due to recent escalation in tri-axle truck traffic over roads in Polk Township, the township supervisors have adopted an ordinance to restrict truck traffic.

The ordinance is in response to numerous complaints received by the township.

The roads included in the ordinance are: Carney Road, Haney Road, Burger Hollow Road, Lower Middle Creek Road, Floyd Drive, Dorshimer Road and Long Mountain Road

The ordinance does not limit commercial trucks making local deliveries or privately owned vehicles used for personal use.

Signs have already been installed along the routes. The ordinance calls for drivers who violate the law to be fined up to $500 or jailed for up to 30 days.

In addition to adopting the ordinance, the supervisors also sent a letter in October to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in opposition of a general permit application for a five- to 10-year quarry reclamation project in Lower Towamensing Township.

The permit would allow tri-axle trucks originating from the “tri-state area” to bring in clean fill via state roads to the project.

Polk Township opposed the permit based on the fact that under a current permit, tri-axle dump trucks have been using township roads and bridges to avoid the detours put in place by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as a result of updated bridge weight restrictions along the original permitted route between Route 33 in Saylorsburg and Palmerton.

The township received a copy of a letter dated Nov. 15 addressed to DTA Alliance LLC from the Pennsylvania DEP, Bureau of Waste Management denying the permit application.

The letter indicated that the application contained many deficiencies, including its failure to submit a traffic and transportation management plan.

DTA has 30 days to appeal the decision to the Environmental Hearing Board.