Large commercial trucks to be restricted on Argonne Drive in Harrison

Some large commercial trucks will be restricted from portions of Argonne Drive in Harrison after multiple calls to police in recent years for trucks stuck on the railroad tracks and others unable to handle turns.

The weight limit will be 10 tons.

“Trucks with trailers were unable to navigate the right-hand turns onto Philadelphia and Federal streets, which would often leave them stuck on the railroad crossings or striking and taking down crossing signals and signs,” police Chief Brian Turack said.

“Besides the obvious hazards involving trucks stuck on the railroad crossings, several other hazards exist.”

The Harrison commissioners will vote to advertise the weight restriction ordinance Monday and are expected to give it final approval in September.

Allegheny County crews will install signs after the vote.

The move will not impact deliveries to the ATI research location across from Highlands Middle School.

Nor will it affect school buses, emergency vehicles or local deliveries, Township Manager Amy Rockwell said.

The township has been working with Allegheny County on the issue since the weight restriction on Mile Lock Lane, Rockwell said. Argonne Drive is county-owned.

Turack said areas of particular concern include Vine Street at Philadelphia Street, and Vine Street at Federal Street.

“Trucks are getting stuck, dragging or damaging property trying to turn right onto Federal Street,” Rockwell said.

Turack said the larger trucks can cause issues for pedestrians using crosswalks in front of the middle school and in other spots, including a large sweeping bend near the intersection of Outlook Street, and a tight roadway because of on-street parking at Jersey Avenue.

Argonne Drive used is frequently by commercial trucks to access industrial plants along the Allegheny River. But there has been an uptick of police having to shut down the road and help drivers back up to Outlook Street, where they can safely turn around to get back to Freeport Road, Turack said.

The chief approached the county more than a year ago because the issue became a recurring problem.

Since then, he has worked with township leadership, ATI, Norfolk Southern and the county’s public works department to seek a resolution.

“With this multi-organizational cooperation, we hope this project will help to keep our residents safe,” Turack said.