County Targets Truck Traffic with Over 240 New ‘No Trucks’ Signs

GAINESVILLE ‒ Large trucks will be prohibited from using many of the smaller roadways in Alachua County. In a press release, the Alachua County Public Works Department announced that it installed more than 240 “No Trucks” signs across 44 road segments within the county. The release states that the initiative is designed to redirect large commercial trucks onto wider, “more suitable” state and county roads, reducing the risks posed by heavy vehicles on narrow roadways.

The new prohibitions are dispersed throughout all of Alachua County, and near Alachua and High Springs, include large sections of Northwest County Roads 236, 235A, 237, and 239 north of U.S. Highway 441. All of Old Bellamy Road and a portion of Northwest/Northeast 56^th Avenue are also restricted.

Additional restrictions are in place along all of County Road 337 south of Newberry and significant portions of Southwest County Roads 346 and 346A.

Trucks are prohibited from using all of Millhopper Road west of Northwest 43^rd Street in Gainesville and most of Wacahoota Road near Micanopy. Near Hawthorne, Southeast County Roads 234 and 2082 as well as South County Road 325 and County Roads 219A and 1474 have similar new restrictions.

According to the press release from Alachua County, the move comes in response to numerous citizen concerns about the dangers of large trucks traveling at high speeds on roads with limited width. In light of these concerns, the Alachua County Commission directed the Public Works Department to implement “No Trucks” restrictions on collector roads with travel lanes measuring 11 feet or narrower. These roads constitute approximately 14 percent of the county's collector road system.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol’s Bureau of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement in the Ocala District, the “No Trucks” designation is more straightforward and effective to enforce compared to weight-based restrictions. Consequently, some roads previously governed by weight limits are now marked with “No Trucks” signage, making enforcement by law enforcement agencies more efficient.

Importantly, these restrictions apply exclusively to commercial trucks passing through the area and do not affect local deliveries. Trucks making deliveries to addresses on these roads, including those during the busy holiday season, are exempt from the new regulations.

For more information, residents can contact Alachua County Civil Engineer Tony Flegert at 352-548-1218.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com