(A) Purpose. To authorize the temporary imposition of restrictions on the use of designated county highways as permitted by state law, including, but not limited to, I.C. 8-17-1, I.C. 9-20 and I.C. 9-21, and to authorize temporary closure of designated county highways as permitted by “home rule” whenever any highway, by reason of deterioration, rain, snow, flooding or other climatic conditions will be damaged or whenever a threat to public safety is presented by continued use of the road, and to provide civil penalties for violations of such restrictions or closures.
(B) Imposition of temporary restrictions or closures.
(1) The Board of County Commissioners, upon recommendations from its authorized representatives, (including the County Highway Engineer, the County Highway District Foreman, County Sheriff, County 911/EMS Directors and/or the County EMA Director) may temporarily close a county highway by use of physical barricades (including flood gates) and signage where it is determined that damages to the roadway or right-of-way or a threat to public safety is present by continued use of the county highway. The county highway may be reopened when it is determined that the condition causing the threat to public safety or damage to the roadway has been repaired or alleviated.
(2) The closure may also temporarily prohibit the operation of trucks or other commercial vehicles on designated county highways and/or impose temporary weight, size or use restrictions where damage to the roadways is threatened by the continued use of the county highway. The temporary restrictions may be removed when it is determined that the conditions causing the damage or threat of damage to the roadway or right-of-way has been alleviated.
(3) The county shall erect and maintain barricades and signs specifying the restriction on use of the county highway and specifying the penalties imposed on violations of this section at each end of that part of any designated county highway or at the nearest intersecting roadway.
(4) Any person who fails to comply with a temporary closure or temporary restriction imposed by the County Commissioners under this section or who tampers with, vandalizes or removes a barricade or sign erected pursuant to this section commits a violation.
(Ord. 2009-03, passed 6-8-2009) Penalty, see § 151.99