Leadership at the Seminole Tribe has passed an ordinance to restrict heavy truck traffic on the tribe’s open access roads on the Big Cypress Reservation during certain hours of the day.

The ordinance is in response to an increasing number of semi-trucks weighing over 26,000 pounds that access the Josie Billie Highway, which begins as Snake Road from I-75, during day and nighttime hours.

Tribal officials said the trucks have become a health and safety concern for those living on the reservation, especially for those living in homes close to the road.

The ordinance was brought before Tribal Council for a vote at its April 14 meeting that was conducted online. It passed unanimously. The initial recommendation is to restrict the heavy trucks from passing
through the reservation from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., officials said.

Signs are being created to notify truckers of the restrictions before they enter the road so they can turn around or use a different route.