Heavier Truck Traffic Proposed for St. Vincent Avenue

The City of Shrewsbury is proposing a new exception to the weight limit restrictions on vehicles traveling through the municipality.

At a meeting Tuesday, the Shrewsbury Board of Aldermen approved the first reading of an ordinance that would allow vehicles weighing up to 36,000 pounds to travel on St. Vincent Avenue. City ordinance caps the maximum weight at 18,000 pounds.

The short residential street would serve as an alternate route for fleet of about 12 trucks from businesses located near where St. Vincent ends at Weil Avenue, according to city officials. Mayor Felicity Buckley told citizens at the meeting that it would only occur twice a day, when the vehicles leave the business in the morning and return again in the evening.

The trucks currently exit Weil by turning onto River de Pere Parkway, but Buckley said problems with the route have occurred since a MetroLink stop was added close by.  

"This came about as a result of the traffic issues trying to get out Weil and River de Pere," Buckley said. "The trucks would get backed up, so we will allow them to go down St. Vincent."

Buckley added that the city's public works department has determined that the additional traffic will not physically damage the street.

The Board of Aldermen still has to approve a second reading of the ordinance before the change becomes law. For more information, residents may contact City Hall at 314-647-5795 or by email, or contact Ward 2 Aldermen Ed Kopff and Dee Weicher.