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Resident asks council to lower Atlas Avenue speed limit, citing severe noise and truck traffic
Summary
Michael Sims presented a petition asking the city to reduce the speed limit on Atlas Avenue between Prairie Avenue and Hanley from 35 to 25 mph because of noise and increased truck traffic; he said Streets and Engineering know the issue and invited council members to hear conditions in person.
Resident Michael Sims told the Coeur d'Alene City Council on May 6 that traffic noise on Atlas Avenue between Prairie Avenue and Hanley has grown substantially and asked the council to lower the posted speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph.
Sims said he collected about 45 signatures representing 45 homes and estimated that roughly 100 homes back onto Atlas, placing residences very close to the roadway. “The noise is just absolutely horrendous,” Sims told the council, saying many vehicles routinely exceed the 35‑mph limit and that Atlas has become a truck route with diesel‑engine (Jake brake) noise. He urged the council to take “a humanitarian look” and act quickly rather than waiting months for a study.
Sims said he had provided the city’s Streets and Engineering department with traffic‑noise studies and invited any council member or staff to visit his home in the afternoon to hear the problem firsthand.
What council said: After Sims’ comments, the mayor offered to visit his home and councilmembers acknowledged the petition. The transcript records no formal council direction, staff timeline, or a vote on the request during the May 6 meeting.
Why it matters: A speed‑limit change could be implemented by the city’s traffic engineering process; Sims cited a state safety office contact who told him local agencies determine speed limits on city streets that are not state highways. The council packet did not contain follow‑up steps or a staff report setting a timeline for Streets and Engineering to act.
Next steps: Residents may expect the Streets and Engineering department or a council member to follow up; Sims asked for prompt action and offered the council an on‑site demonstration of conditions.
