By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Large trucks and certain other vehicles soon may be limited to travel on certain roads in Alabaster, as the City Council is considering defining specific truck routes in the city.

The council is set to hold a public hearing on the matter during its Feb. 22 meeting, and could vote on the matter the same night. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at Alabaster City Hall at 1953 Municipal Way.

Alabaster City Manager George Henry said the city currently has no ordinance on the books limiting where large trucks can travel in the city.

“Right now, there’s really nothing keeping large trucks from running on any city street,” Henry said. “These (proposed routes) are the routes they’re driving on now. This will just put it on the books.”

Vehicles covered under the proposed truck route ordinance have tandem axles, tri-axles or larger axle configurations, have gross weights of 10,001 or more pounds, are designed to transport more than eight people for compensation or are designed to transport more than 15 people without compensation.

The following roads in Alabaster would be defined as truck routes under the proposed ordinance:

-Interstate 65

-U.S. 31

-Alabama 119

-Shelby County 11

-Shelby County 26 east of Alabama 119

-Shelby County 44 from Sixth Street Southwest to First Street Northwest

-First Street Northwest

-Second Place Northwest

-Shelby County 17

-Shelby County 12 from Shelby County 17 to Shelby County 80

-Shelby County 80

-Shelby County 87

-Old Highway 31 from 16^th Avenue Southeast to U.S. 31

Trucks performing local pickups, deliveries or repairs would be allowed to travel off the truck routes, and emergency vehicles, school buses, church buses and municipal and utility services trucks would be allowed to travel throughout the city.

If the ordinance passes, the city will post signs designating the truck routes. Violations of the ordinance would be punishable by up to a $500 fine or up to 180 days in the city jail.