The Van Zile Road intersection of Route 70. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
Brick Township council members last week held a public hearing and, on second reading, finalized an ordinance that bans heavy commercial vehicles from using Van Zile Road.
“This was an effort to replace a sign that was already posted, and we didn’t know why it was removed,” said Business Administrator Joanne Bergin.
The ordinance prohibits commercial vehicles weighing more than four tons of gross weight to use the roadway, which is under county jurisdiction. The ordinance carves out exceptions for trucks picking up or delivering materials, and a number of other exceptions allowed under state law. The measure most commonly applies to heavy vehicles using the roadway, which in many locations is lined with residential homes, as a through street.
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The weight limit on Van Zile was established years ago when a modification of the county’s traffic plan created a different route for heavy vehicles to use, however over the years, the signage disappeared and enforcement of the weight limit disappeared along with it.
“Burnt Tavern Road was designated for tractor trailers when it was widened some years ago, and on Van Zile, this was just replacing something we lost long ago,” said Bergin.
Residents had complained that large commercial vehicles were using the road during late-night hours, interrupting their sleep.
“There are many, many sections of Van Zile that are very residential and close to the road,” one resident told council members, speaking in support of the ordinance. “It’s very rattling, especially with 10 to 15 tractor-trailers coming through between 10 p.m. and 3 in the morning.”
The ordinance applies to the total length of Van Zile from Route 70 to its terminus at Burnt Tavern Road. Van Zile is also known as County Road 632.
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