A new truck ban has been implemented on South Pennsylvania Avenue in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, affecting trucks exceeding 10 tons. This critical route, near the New Jersey border, has served as a key access point to the Keystone Trade Center, the largest Class A industrial park on the East Coast. The ban was announced by state Sen. Steve Santarsiero, D-Bucks, alongside the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
Key Details of the Truck Ban
The truck ban will take effect as soon as PennDOT installs the necessary signage, which is expected in the coming months. South Pennsylvania Avenue has traditionally been a vital route for trucks heading to the Keystone Trade Center, located off U.S. Route 1 along the Delaware River. Now, truckers will need to seek alternative routes to reach their destinations.
Community Impact and Government Response
The northern segment of South Pennsylvania Avenue is primarily residential, while the southern portion runs through an industrial zone. Residents have expressed concerns about heavy truck traffic for more than a decade. In response, state and local officials successfully persuaded Google Maps to redirect traffic from the Keystone Trade Center, bypassing South Pennsylvania Avenue beyond Tyburn Road.
The truck ban covers a specific portion of South Pennsylvania Avenue, marked by a red line on official maps. Trucks will now be rerouted to U.S. Route 13, indicated by a blue line, for industrial park access. In Trenton, N.J., signs have been installed to direct truckers to U.S. Route 13.
Sen. Santarsiero emphasized, “When Morrisville Borough residents and officials first brought the issue of excessive truck traffic on South Pennsylvania Avenue to my attention, it was clear it would take time to find the right solution to balance the interests of residents and area businesses. The prohibition of trucks on S. Pennsylvania Avenue will bring relief to residents and ensure the structural integrity of the roadbed remains intact.”
Speed Limit Reductions and Road Reclassification
This truck ban is part of broader traffic management efforts. In November 2021, PennDOT reduced the speed limit on the industrial side of South Pennsylvania Avenue from 55 mph to 45 mph. In June 2022, the speed limit on the residential side was lowered from 30 mph to 25 mph.
In August 2022, PennDOT evaluated reclassifying the highway from an Intermodal Corridor to a Major Collector, addressing ongoing resident concerns. The reclassification was approved in September 2022.
Rep. Jim Prokopiak, D-Bucks, stated, “I applaud the action being taken to ban trucks on S. Pennsylvania Ave. This action will increase the quality of life and safety for Morrisville residents, especially those living near Pennsylvania Ave. This action is the result of a collaboration between state and local officials who all worked together to make Morrisville a better place to live.”
Source: Land Line
