Politics & Government

South Gate City Council Approves Restrictions for Trucks on Garfield

Trucks would be prohibited from 8:00 p.m. to 6 a.m.

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On Tuesday, the South Gate City Council approved night and weight restrictions for trucks that use a portion of Garfield Avenue that is located between Southern Avenue and the South Gate city limit.

The ordinance was brought to the council for consideration after several residents expressed concerns with truck noise and safety.

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“I am impacted by the trucks,” confessed Carmen Avalos, South Gate city clerk and the only affected resident that spoke at the public hearing. “As a mom I am very concerned that we might have an accident.”

Representatives of BP ARCO were present to express their disapproval of the ordinance. However, they seemed somewhat relieved to hear that there are going to be some exceptions granted.

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Because of this ordinance, trucks with a weight of 60,000 pounds or above will be prohibited from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.  

However, trucks will be allowed to use this portion of Garfield if a catastrophic event forces that street to become the alternate way, or if it is the most direct route that a truck can use to make a delivery in the area.

City staff and councilmembers expressed concerns over the effectiveness of the ordinance.

“I am not certain that we will have the resources especially during those hours,” said South Gate city manager, George Troxcil.

The council, however, went ahead and voted three against two, despite the concerns.

Councilmember Jorge Morales, who voted in favor of the restrictions, stated that he believed the restrictions would encourage more self-policing.

“My hope is the there will be more self-regulation,” said Morales. “They wont take [Garfield] because they will [see] that there is possibility that [they] will get a ticket.”

The other members of the council who voted in favor were Vice-Mayor Gil Hurtado and councilmember Henry Gonzalez. Those who voted against the ordinance were Mayor Bill De Witt and councilmember Maria Davila.

The South Gate City Council will finalize the adoption of this ordinance during its next meeting on the 23rd of October.

If adopted successfully, it will go into effect thirty days later. 

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