(a) For the purposes of this section, the term "truck" means a single-unit vehicle with a manufacturer's gross weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds, a single-unit vehicle with tandem axles, or all truck-tractor/semitrailers. The term "truck" does not include a "light truck," as defined by the Texas Transportation Code § 541.201.
(b) No person shall operate a truck on any street or roadway within the city except on the following portions of the following streets, which are hereby designated as primary truck routes:
(1) Interstate Highway 20 from the west city limits to the east city limits.
(2) U.S. Highway 87 (Gregg Street) from the north city limits to the south city limits.
(3) State Highway 350 from the north city limits to U.S. Highway Business Route East (Fourth Street).
(4) Interstate 20 Business Route West (Third Street) from its intersection with Interstate Highway 20 on the east to its intersection with Interstate Highway 20 on the west.
(5) Interstate 20 Business Route East (Fourth Street) from its intersection with Interstate Highway 20 on the west to its intersection with Interstate Highway 20 on the east.
(6) Farm to Market Road 700 from its intersection with Interstate 20 Business Route to its intersection with Interstate Highway 20.
(c) Trucks restricted to the streets designated as primary truck routes may depart from such route where it is necessary to load or unload merchandise at locations situated off of the designated routes unless such route or street is posted prohibiting entry by trucks, including, but not limited to, signs stating: "No Thru Trucks," "No Through Trucks" or similar signage. Vehicles permitted by this subsection to divert from designated truck routes shall follow the most direct truck route to the point nearest their ultimate destination and provided further, that such vehicles shall not leave designated truck routes until they have reached a turning off point that can be described as the shortest distance practical to the ultimate destination of the vehicle, which is consistent with a reasonable operation of the vehicle; provided, further, said vehicle may depart from the designated truck terminal, which is defined as an area for trans-shipment of merchandise and service and maintenance of trucks, provided that such vehicle proceeds by the most direct route that is practicable. Any such vehicles may be driven off the designated routes to a public garage or repair shop when reasonably necessary for the maintenance and repair of such vehicle; provided, however, that this provision shall never be construed as authorizing the repair of vehicles in areas otherwise prohibited by the provisions of this Code, or by state law. Any person operating any of the aforesaid vehicles upon any street or roadway which is not designated a truck route, as provided for hereinabove, shall have in his possession for the inspection of police officers his log book or evidence of his destination and point of origin to justify the presence of said vehicle on a street or roadway other than a designated truck route.
(d) The following vehicles shall be exempt from the provisions of this section:
(1) Authorized emergency vehicles (as defined by Texas Transportation Code § 541.201).
(2) Municipal and utility service vehicles.
(3) Vehicles transporting hazardous materials as regulated by section 48-17.
(e) Appropriate signs and marking shall be erected and maintained advising the operators of trucks of the streets and highways which have been designated as primary truck routes.
(Prior Code, § 18-80; Ord. of 7-24-1979; Ord. No. 031-2018, § 1, 7-24-2018; Ord. No. 034-2018, § 1, 8-14-2018)