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Silverdale residents cite truck speeds, bridge damage; Cowley County orders engineering traffic study
Summary
Silverdale Township residents told the Cowley County Commission on Jan. 20 that rock-hauling trucks have caused bridge damage, yard damage and dust and blasting concerns; after hearing testimony the commission voted 3-0 to hire an engineering firm to study signage and other traffic options.
Silverdale Township residents pressed the Cowley County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 20, 2026 over heavy‑truck traffic they say is damaging local roads and a low‑water bridge, prompting the board to vote 3-0 to commission an engineering study of signage and traffic options.
Brett Martin, Silverdale Township Trustee, and residents including Janel Born, Sue Schultz and Robin Schultz reported trucks hauling rock from Hy‑Grade Aggregates were speeding on portions of 155th and 256th Roads, said the increased traffic had damaged a low‑water bridge and in one case a truck backing on a narrow road ran into a yard and destroyed items. Jon Jordan, Public Works Superintendent, and County Administrator Lucas Goff said temporary traffic counters have been placed and that drivers appeared to slow after the counters were deployed; Goff said the counters must remain for several more weeks before engineers can make a formal recommendation.
Tom Leis, manager of Hy‑Grade Aggregates, told the commission he had spoken with truck drivers and asked them to slow. Several residents also expressed concern about blasting and potential impacts on air and water; Jerry Hankins raised water and air concerns and Donald Swanson described worry for his residence because of blasting. Jordan said the county attempted to connect residents with the health department; Leis said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency inspected the site runoff ponds and issued no citation.
After discussion, Commissioner Wayne Wilt moved and Vice Chairman Alan Groom seconded a motion to employ the county's engineering firm to study traffic patterns and signage options on the affected roads; the motion passed unanimously. The study is intended to produce recommendations on whether and where to install "No Commercial Traffic" signs, speed limits, or other mitigations. Goff told the commission he will report the engineers' recommendation once the traffic counters have collected sufficient data.
The commission did not set a public timetable for the firm's report during the meeting; residents said the presence of the counters had already reduced speeds in the short term.
