PALATKA, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation and Putnam County leaders are listening to residents' concerns by installing new signage to keep trucks out of residential communities.
For years, neighbors have brought concerns to county leaders about how large trucks are causing traffic and accidents when driving along roads in the county. Neighbors have also noted how truck drivers utilize two of the most used roads in the county: U.S. 17 and State Road 20.
State Representative for District 20, Bobby Payne, says it’s because truck drivers use GPS software meant for cars, thus leading them along shortcuts that aren’t suitable for 18-wheelers.
"We just want to make sure that we make it safe for those living in that tight corridor," Payne told First Coast News. "They’re protected and we get truckers to take the right path."
Palatka Public Works employees say the signage will protect roads and anything along the street from damage. Representative Payne highlighted the property damage along Crill Avenue, one of the most impacted areas from tractor-trailers through their traffic study.
“Everything for mailboxes have been knocked down to head-on collisions on this road, so we’re fortunate that we have put in this level of effort and we’ve talked to truckers associations trying to get the trucker association to recognize the route,” said Payne.
The new truck route gives drivers wider lanes, better access to gas stations and restaurants, and a way to avoid tight turns.
With the signs now installed, leaders in Palatka say they are spending the next month handing out warnings for truck drivers who don’t follow the new truck route and once the probation period is over, they will then get law enforcement involved.