Processes used by the Haverhill city council to set speed limits and heavy commercial vehicle exclusions on local streets are “currently not correct,” and require state approval, according to City Engineer John H. Pettis III.
The council Tuesday night will place on file for two weeks a request by Pettis to amend existing city ordinances on speed and weight limits to conform to state regulations.
“A review of the subject City Code sections has found that these sections are currently not correct. Per Massachusetts General Law (MGL) speed regulations and truck exclusions can be made by city council only with the written approval of MassDOT, with Registrar of Motor Vehicles approval also required for speed regulations,” Pettis said in a memorandum to the council.
According to council documents, if the revision is approved, speed limits on a number of local streets and state highways would revert to those set between 1970 and 1984. Streets affected include Broadway, Concord Street and upper Main Street, as well as Hilldale and Kenoza Avenues. Also weight limits set on streets including Boardman and Lake Streets, as well as Merrill Avenue, would be at those set between 1988 and 1993.
Changes to the all motor vehicle speed limits on a stretch of Kenoza Avenue, also known as the John Greenleaf Whittier Highway, require state approval.
The Haverhill city council meets at 7 p.m., Tuesday, in council chambers at Haverhill City Hall.