Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge traffic safety near new daycare as BFCOG traffic data show localized heavy‑vehicle volumes
Summary
Residents raised safety concerns about truck speeds and compression‑brake noise near a proposed daycare; BFCOG presented 2024 traffic counts showing a 6% increase at a key approach and local heavy‑vehicle shares of 8.2% and 14.6% at two count sites.
Benton City — During public comment May 20, resident Tammy Carone urged the council to pursue a lower state speed limit, increased state patrol traffic enforcement and a local ordinance to limit heavy‑truck compression braking near a new daycare and school walking routes. The council said staff would follow up with Washington State Department of Transportation contacts, and Carone asked for coordinated submittals so citizen complaints align with the city's DOT request.
At the same meeting, a BFCOG presenter summarized the regional biannual traffic‑count program and local findings for 2024: the highest average daily traffic recorded in Benton City in 2024 was at 1st Street south of Abbey (a 6% increase compared with 2016). Local heavy‑vehicle percentages were reported as 8.2% at the bridge approach count location and 14.6% at a count on Babs Avenue west of 9th Street — figures BFCOG said help planners prioritize infrastructure such as the proposed 7th Street roundabout.
Carone asked whether the city had a contact at DOT and suggested a visible state patrol presence to help enforce speed limits on the state highway through town. She also requested that the council consider an ordinance banning use of compression braking in town limits to address noise and safety concerns where children cross. Councilmembers acknowledged traffic enforcement resource limits for the county sheriff's office but said staff would follow up with DOT contacts and that BFCOG data can inform local traffic‑calming investments.
Next steps: staff said they will share DOT contact information when available and that BFCOG data will be part of the city’s transportation planning and grant coordination work.
