Truckies’ Take: Permanent Bypass Plans – Yay or Nay?

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by WesternStarLover99, Aug 9, 2024.

  1. Hey, I live in a small rural town down under. A while back, there was discussion of diverting trucks out of Main Street and through a different road further away from the densely populated area. This came up after a truck crashed into a café (no casualties). However, the proposal was denied due to a lack of signatures from the public.

    There were tons of mixed opinions. Some said trucks shouldn’t be on Main Street because they’re too noisy, damage the roads (they don’t, I don’t know why people keep saying this), and are a danger to pedestrians and the many drunken or less intelligent tourists we attract, thus also risking their own safety.

    Of course, some also disagreed, saying the trucks are a highlight of the town and charming to have around since they’ve been coming through here for years. They argued that the road they would be diverted onto has too high of a risk, considering it’s surrounded by family-owned housing where kids commonly play on the streets and paddocks, and that it inconveniences truckies.

    What is your take on the situation, as the one behind the wheel? :p

    Here’s a poorly drawn map of the roads just to get an idea (light grey lines are optional routes):
     

    Attached Files:

    Flat Earth Trucker Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

    47,863
    217,363
    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
    0
    The drivers might appreciate it if it’s a more efficient way to get through there.
     
    Flat Earth Trucker Thanks this.
  4. JC1971

    JC1971 Road Train Member

    2,549
    9,000
    Jul 29, 2013
    L.A.
    0
    Look at what happened to every U.S. business when a highway bypassed a small town.
     
  5. Cdemars316

    Cdemars316 Medium Load Member

    540
    2,618
    Nov 10, 2018
    0
    I know this is an older post, but tell all those idiots that think that trucks ruin the road, they wouldn't have a dam road if it wasn't for trucks bringing the materials and equipment to make the road in the first place
     
  6. Thrasher28

    Thrasher28 Road Train Member

    1,169
    3,173
    Aug 12, 2021
    Bowling Green, KY
    0
    Bypasses aren’t that big of a deal IMO. As long as they’re clearly marked and punishment fits the crime if someone misses it. South Texas comes to mind for me. Got a 300 dollar ordinance fine in Carizzo Springs for missing a truck bypass. They didn’t have any no truck signs — only a truck route sign with an arrow: They acted like I was lying when I said in the Midwest states, like Nebraska, lots of roads are marked truck route, but it doesn’t mean trucks explicitly have to use that route. It’s just simply saying “hey, this route is also for trucks if you’re unsure”. Lesson learned that TX truck routes means only that route

    most other states are good about wording “trucks must follow”, no truck signs, and multi arrow signs if it’s a situation that’s not super obvious

    Auburn, NE comes to mind if anyone is curious of examples for what I mean
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2025
  7. Ex-Trucker Alex

    Ex-Trucker Alex Road Train Member

    1,211
    2,026
    Jan 7, 2023
    0
    I've seen videos of you guys down under, hauling triple and quad road trains right through little Podunk towns in the outback, turning at intersections, taking roundabouts, etc. Most towns of any size in the US has a "bypass".....
     
  8. tarmadilo

    tarmadilo Road Train Member

    1,542
    4,042
    Dec 12, 2018
    0
    The road that goes from our terminal out to the highway is a cracked, bumpy mess (our trucks only account for a little of that, there are several large warehouses, a ceramic tile factory, and a FedEx hub that use it too). Heavy trucks absolutely cause wear on a road, especially on roads not designed for those loads. The road I’m talking about was built lightly, before most of the warehouses were built and it was just a feeder for tract home development.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.