Last Updated on October 16, 2013 11:15 am
Motorist, and more importantly truckers, will notice a new sign on a local road that has seen more than its fair share of accidents and tie ups. The sign at the bottom of Wilsons Ridge facing Bamboo Road tells truck drivers that tractor-trailers are prohibited.
The NCDOT Traffic Engineering Department that serves Watauga County received an inquiry around the first of June asking for a sign to be placed. After looking into the request DOT discovered that around 2-3 incidents a month were occurring involving tractor & trailers.
Wilson's Ridge Road and highway 194 from Valle Crucis to Matney have long been problem areas for tractor & trailers getting stuck. It's widely believed that GPS is mostly to blame for leading trucks across both routes.
*Updated Tuesday October 23*
New signs have also been placed on Highway 194 from Valle Crucis to Matney
Reprogram those GPS units truckers!
I could swear there used to be a sign coming down 194 when I was in college at LMC 20 plus years ago
Loren, There is one at the Deerfield/Wilson Ridge intersection as well so one on both sides.
I’ve seen the placement of the sign coming off Bamboo and it is after a truck would have made the turn already. It seems that it would be better placed on Bamboo prior to the turn onto Wilson Ridge to help prevent truck from turning. Still, it’s a step in the right direction.
Maggie Goodman Russell, there is a sign still at the top of 194 coming down toward the Valle, however as happen just 2-3 weeks ago the trucker admitted seeing it and ignoring it according to some eyewitnesses
Yes that’s along time coming…yea DOT
@ncdot @ncdot_eastmtn Tractor Trailers Prohibited On Wilson’s Ridge Road in Boone http://t.co/nvXyN7QCnY
DOT Traffic Engineering Dept tells me that the signs on 194 are to be upgraded very soon – KR
Tractor Trailers Prohibited On Wilson’s Ridge Road – http://t.co/JBXH266KAR
New Sign On 194/Valle Mountain Lets Tractor Trailers Know Road Is Prohibited -http://wataugaroads.com/new-sign-on-194valle-mountain-lets-tractor-trailers-know-road-is-prohibited/