BERLIN – While the reopening of Harrison Avenue is expected to alleviate traffic on Baker Street, the truck ban meant to minimize damage to the historic street will still go into effect May 28.
On Monday, the Berlin Town Council approved the Baker Street truck prohibition for the second time this month. Though a public hearing was held and the prohibition was voted on May 8, the council held a second hearing and another vote this week because it had been advertised for May 22.
“The public hearing was advertised for tonight…,” Town Attorney Dave Gaskill said. “It was a misunderstanding.”
The truck ban that goes into effect May 28 will prohibit vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) exceeding 14,000 pounds from traveling on Baker Street unless they’re making deliveries to residences or businesses there. Emergency vehicles will not be subject to the rule.
Town officials said they created the prohibition in an effort to minimize damage to Baker Street, the town’s last street made of oyster shell cement. In April, the council agreed to spend $20,000 for the design of repairs for the unique street. Town employees have estimated the actual repair work will cost roughly $120,000. At the request of Baker Street residents, the town is doing what it can to ensure the street’s oyster shell cement is retained.
When asked on Monday how the ban would be enforced, Mayor Gee Williams said the town’s police department would be tasked with ensuring motorists didn’t violate the prohibition.
“Just like everything else in town, we’ll be assisted if citizens let us know there’s a problem,” Williams said. “There’s not going to be a patrol vehicle there 24/7.”
While Baker Street has experienced a significant increase in traffic since Harrison Avenue was blocked off 11 months ago, the number of vehicles traveling the historic road will decrease with the removal of the Adkins Company’s barricades on Wednesday after an easement dating back to 1903 was uncovered.
Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing says he does not foresee any difficulty in enforcing the prohibition.
“If they open up the road I don’t think it’ll be an issue,” he said.
