City looking at establishing designated truck route

An increase in commercial truck traffic on Davenport Street has prompted the City of Rhinelander to consider establishing an official route for heavy trucks.

The issue was discussed during the common council’s Aug. 12 meeting at the request of alderman Tom Barnett.

Barnett told his fellow alders that a constituent had contacted him to advise that an excess amount of heavy commercial trucks were traveling on Davenport Street. Barnett added that he asked Chief of Police Lloyd Gauthier to “explain the history” of traffic control in that part of the city so the council can determine what can be done to “fix what we’ve got going on out there.”

“This issue came up 7 or 8 years ago when I first became chief,” Gauthier explained. “I got a call from a resident on Davenport Street really concerned about the heavy semi traffic to and from the paper mill utilizing Davenport Street to Maple Street to Phillip Street. 

“At that time I went over and spoke with the mill’s receiving yard and just suggested that they have their trucks use River Street...”

He also noted that there are signs posted at River Street and Highway 47 and at Davenport and Highway 47 advising that there is no through truck traffic, only local deliveries, and no trucks over 10,000 pounds or 5 tons.

Gauthier went on to explain that the city does have an ordinance that covers truck routes and it’s up to the council to determine if there should be a route.

If one is to be created, the ordinance states that a map of the route is to be available in the city clerk’s office.

Gauthier said his recommendation would be for heavy commercial trucks to use River Street rather than Davenport.

“You look at River Street compared to Davenport Street, visibility is a huge factor when you compare the two streets,” he said. “Davenport is windy, very residential, no sidewalks, curves and a hill...There are some sidewalks on parts of River Street. It’s much wider. It’s certainly straighter. Even though there’s a hill, you have better viewing when you’re traveling on River Street.”

Finally, Gauthier suggested that Justin Ernst of the city street department be consulted as to the potential impact 80,000 pound trucks are having on Davenport Street compared to River Street.

“It would be my recommendation that we would seriously look at establishing an official truck route, ending truck traffic (on Davenport Street) at Argonne Lumber,” he told the alders. “No truck traffic (on Davenport Street) beyond Argonne Lumber. All semi traffic would utilize River Street to Maple to Phillip Street.”

Other options are scarce, he noted, adding that Phillip Street, over the Phillip Street dam, would not be a safe option and there’s a history of semi trucks getting stuck under the railroad bridge on East Davenport Street.

Alderman Steven Jopek asked how the city would enforce the new rules, if an official route is established.

“I would do it just as we’ve done with the radar speed limit change on Timber Drive,” Gauthier said. “I personally sat out there and made some traffic stops and informed the people. I would go to the paper mill with the new ordinance change with the truck route...and then it would be education, education...”

As the discussion continued, it was noted that the only truck route, of sorts, currently in place dates back to 1993.

“When the bypass went in there should have a new truck route established so I think we should also add the discussion of an official truck route that actually works for the city,” Barnett suggested, adding that such a route “would also alleviate a lot of residential road construction issues as well.”

City council president Carrie Mikalauski, whose district is on the west side, expressed concern about increased congestion on River Street, if the council chooses to follow Gauthier’s recommendation.

“The comparison of the amount of people that live on River Street compared to the people who live on Davenport Street is remarkably different,” she said. “There’s a lot more on River Street and I know there’s a bunch of kids that live on River Street because I see them all the time. And oftentimes you’ll get balls that cross into River Street and whatnot, so I’m concerned that although it may be straighter it’s more heavily populated. So I don’t know if that was taken into consideration when you were making your recommendation.”

“It was,” Gauthier responded. “You just have better visibility (on River Street) if you compare the width of the street and the visibility. The houses on the north side of River Street are closer to the curb but all of Davenport is really tight and you don’t have great visibility and there’s no sidewalks ...”

“When you look at the two, I would much rather have those larger vehicles on River Street where I think it’s made for more traffic and definitely better visibility,” he affirmed.

Ultimately, Barnett made a motion to direct Gauthier to confer with city administrator Patrick Reagan and the city street department and come back to the council with suggestions and some options. 

The motion passed unanimously. To watch the full discussion, visit www.hodagtv.com.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].