Tabler Road truck traffic concerns Minooka residents
By Kris Stadalsky For The Herald-News May 24, 2012 3:02PM
Updated: July 3, 2012 9:45AM
MINOOKA — Semi truck traffic on Tabler Road, in unincorporated Minooka, has homeowners concerned. Even though it has a posted weight limit of eight tons, semis are a frequent sight on the rural and residential road that connects Route 6 and Minooka Road.
Trucks are using the north/south road as a shortcut between Route 6 and the industrial area on Minooka Road, said resident Al Chesko. Sometimes they end up on Tabler when they miss their other turns and there’s nowhere for them to turn around.
Their concerns are magnified by the prospect of the Brisbin Road interchange scheduled to open later this year, bringing more truck traffic to the area.
“What’s going to happen once Brisbin Road opens up,” Chesko asked village trustees. “Does anyone have any idea of the truck traffic restrictions on Tabler Road?”
While there are posted restrictions at both the north and south ends of the road, drivers seem to be ignoring them.
Police Chief Justin Meyer said his officers have written citations for overweight violations, some as much as $500.
“We do have extra patrols out there,” Meyer said.
A big problem with Tabler Road is jurisdictional, said Superintendent of Public Works Rob Tonarelli. The majority of the road belongs to Aux Sable Township and is patrolled by Grundy County police. But small segments of the winding road, which are not congruent, are under Minooka’s authority.
“What it boils down to is it’s going to be an enforcement issue,” Tonarelli said. “I don’t know what the frequency (of violators) is, is it one truck a week or more?”
Chesko said he or his neighbors have seen semis overturned at one of the railroad crossings on at least two different occasions. On one curve, there isn’t enough room for both a semi and a school bus to pass each other.
He has also seen tank trucks bearing explosive and flammable warnings on them.
Trustee Terry Houchens asked if it was possible to have an intergovernmental agreement with the county so the road is entirely under Minooka’s jurisdiction.
“I think the chief can get together with Sheriff (Terry) Marketti and the township (to discuss solutions),” said Village President Pat Brennan. “It’s going to be a mess when Brisbin Road opens.”
Chesko also brought up a second issue about the road, which occurred when his daughter hit a deer on a curve. While she was not injured, attempts at calling 911 were unsuccessful. He was asked to remain on the line.
“Fortunately no one was hurt,” Chesko said. “They were waiting to decide whose jurisdiction it was. Nobody knows who’s on first. Who do we call and what do we do (in an emergency)?”
After calling Grundy County’s non-emergency number, a Minooka police officer was dispatched to take a report.
Village Administrator Dan Duffy said he could check into the police logs to see what had occurred.
