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Residents urge action on speeding near schools and express concern about proposed deep‑water shipping at public comment
Summary
During public comment at the Coos Bay council meeting residents raised speeding and pedestrian safety concerns on Anderson Avenue and Cape Arago/Newmark corridors and voiced opposition to potential deep‑water shipping plans they said could harm local fisheries and tourism.
Several residents used the public comment period at the Coos Bay City Council meeting to press for traffic‑safety measures near schools and neighborhoods and to express environmental concerns about proposed large‑scale shipping activity in the bay.
Judy Weeks told the council she is "scared to death" to use her driveway on Anderson Avenue west of Tenth Street because of high vehicle speeds and asked for more bicycle patrols. "School starting in a couple weeks, and the speed on that street is just horrendous," Weeks said. Council members responded that the city’s authority to set speed limits is limited on some roads and that ODOT controls certain sections; staff confirmed the chief had spoken with Weeks.
Another commenter, Mike Powder, said sections of Cape Arago and Newmark drive function as a speed corridor and suggested lowering speed limits to 25 mph along that stretch for safety, noting heavy bicycle and pedestrian use near a grocery store and other amenities. The mayor and council acknowledged interest in traffic calming but noted jurisdictional limits where ODOT controls the roadway.
Resident Dean (last name not provided) spoke against welcoming large international cargo shipping, saying deep‑draft dredging and large vessels would threaten local crab and clam populations and harm tourism and commercial fisheries. "I think tourism is where it's at for this area, ecotourism," he said, urging cautious evaluation of ship traffic and dredging plans. Council members cautioned that public comments represent opinions and theories unless supported by evidence and that the council is constrained by legal authorities and state agencies in certain matters.
Councilors indicated they would continue to monitor traffic complaints and work with police and ODOT where appropriate; the record shows the chief has been engaged on some complaints and the council directed staff to follow up. No formal action was taken during the meeting on either the traffic or shipping concerns.
