Algonquin to restrict truck traffic for Eineke Blvd.

Algonquin officials imposed new weight restrictions Tuesday on Eineke Boulevard, which will translate into less truck traffic for the Grand Reserve subdivision.

With the new rule in place, trucks weighing more than five tons per axle are barred from using the street unless there's a specific reason for them to be there.

The limit prevents UPS delivery trucks, bread trucks and basically anything larger than a pickup truck from going through the subdivision for residents 55 years and older, said Sgt. Wade Merritt, head of the police department's traffic division.

Delivery trucks would only be allowed if they're dropping something off to the homes lining Eineke Boulevard. Violators will face a 75 ticket.

The restrictions also would bar school buses, which weigh in at around 15,000 pounds, but village officials say they will make an exception as long as there are students aboard.

"You can't say there will absolutely be no school buses," Village Manager William Ganek said. "Once they have kids, they have deadlines."

Truck traffic comprises just one percent of the 1,000 vehicles driving through Eineke Boulevard daily, Merritt said.

The board's action came weeks after several residents from the Grand Reserve subdivision complained to village trustees about increased traffic on their street as a result of construction near their homes.

Three residents from Eineke Boulevard attending Tuesday's village board meeting declined to comment on the new weight restrictions.

Trustee Jim Steigert was the lone board member to oppose the measure, pointing to potential problems with enforcement and concerns that the village has opened the floodgates for others to ask for weight limits for their streets.

He also said the issue was too important to decide on in one day.

"It just required more discussion," Steigert said. "It went kind of fast."