BLAND — Bland aldermen on July 13 approved a new ordinance establishing restrictions for heavy commercial truck traffic on designated city streets in an effort to protect public safety, preserve roadway infrastructure and reduce through traffic in residential areas.

The ordinance defines a commercial motor vehicle as one designed primarily to transport property, materials or equipment with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more. The definition includes truck tractors, semi-trucks, tractor-trailer combinations, box trucks, dump trucks, concrete mixer trucks, garbage trucks, tank trucks, flatbed trucks, construction vehicles and utility trucks that exceed the weight threshold.

Under the ordinance, the aldermen are authorized to designate specific streets where commercial motor vehicles may be restricted or prohibited. Those decisions will be based on public safety, roadway design, preservation of city streets and protection of residential neighborhoods.

The ordinance does not prohibit all commercial trucks from operating within the city.

Exceptions include vehicles making deliveries or providing services within Bland, city-owned vehicles, emergency vehicles and commercial vehicles granted temporary authorization by the city.

During discussion, board members emphasized that the ordinance is intended to discourage heavy through traffic rather than prevent trucks from serving local businesses and residents.

“What we’re trying to get rid of is the tractor trailers,” Mayor Merrilee Spurgeon said.

Board members also discussed heavily loaded dump trucks traveling through the city.

Officials specifically referenced Sycamore Street as an area where heavy truck traffic has been a concern.

Before voting, aldermen noted that the ordinance establishes definitions, authorizes the city to designate restricted streets, provides exceptions, requires appropriate signage and establishes penalties for violations.

The ordinance received its second reading before being approved with a 4-0 vote.