Council adopts truck‑route ordinance to keep heavy trucks off narrow portion of new Middleton Road

The Middleton City Council adopted Ordinance 727 on Sept. 16 to prohibit heavy trucks from using a narrow section of the new Middleton Road approaching Highway 44, citing safety concerns including insufficient turning radius and repeated knock-downs of temporary signs.

City staff explained the ordinance is intended as an interim safety measure until the Idaho Transportation Department completes intersection improvements. Staff said the weight threshold aligns with a standard 26,000‑pound limit commonly used to keep very long or heavy trucks off roads with limited turning geometry; the principal problem cited was length and turning radius rather than gross vehicle weight. "There's not enough turning radius room to exit Middleton Road without interfering with oncoming traffic," staff said during the discussion.

The ordinance also authorizes the city to install signage in ITD right‑of‑way with ITD cooperation and called for sign placement at the roundabout and before Boise Street so drivers can choose alternate routes. Council members discussed whether a length restriction might be more precise than a weight threshold, and staff said the chosen approach is a standard, enforceable rule and will give ITD the authorization it needs to allow signs in its right‑of‑way.

Council waived the three‑reading rule, read the ordinance by title, and voted to adopt Ordinance 727. Staff and council said they will continue to coordinate with ITD on temporary measures (a removable median or "pork chop") and longer‑term intersection design so the restriction can be lifted if and when the road and intersection are improved.