Residents press Fremont leaders for tougher steps to curb truck traffic on Broad Street

Dozens of Fremont residents packed the council study session to press the City of Fremont for stronger measures to curb truck traffic, engine braking and high speeds on Broad Street (U.S. Highway 77), saying the corridor’s heavy volumes have damaged property and made pedestrian crossings hazardous.

At a study session opening, City Administrator Jody Sanders and Planning Director Jeff Ray framed Broad Street as a principal arterial identified in the city’s 2022 comprehensive plan and the long‑range transportation plan, which recommends midterm traffic‑calming and pedestrian improvements along the corridor. Public Works Director Dan Gillis told the council the city has jurisdiction to design and maintain the roadway under a relinquishment agreement but that the state retains legal title and “the right to retake possession” if the segment stops being used as a highway, meaning the city must coordinate with state and federal agencies on some decisions.

Residents described night‑time noise from engine braking, frequent large trucks, and safety risks for children, pedestrians and high‑school cross‑country teams. “In the 10 minutes I sat at my office desk to write this little memo, the first three paragraphs, there were 19 tractor trailers that drove by,” said Ellen Lund, who has lived on Broad Street since 1977. Don Atwell, who said he has lived at 1650 North Broad Street for more than 45 years, urged the council to lower speed limits to 25 mph and add four‑way stops at Lynen, 16th and 19th streets to make the beltway more attractive to through traffic and improve safety on Broad Street.

Business owners and commercial drivers also spoke. Michael Arbs, president and co‑owner of Arps Readymix, said Broad Street is a state highway and that forcing construction traffic to use the bypass could impose “incredibly burdensome” detours for local deliveries. “We certainly hope that we can continue to use Broad Street, you know, with the existing stop lights in place,” Arbs said.

Chief of Police Jeff Elliot outlined enforcement challenges: limited patrol manpower, the roadway’s narrow geometry and lack of nearby parking lots for stationary radar, and the difficulty of citing engine braking unless an officer observes it. “You can pass all the laws you like,” he said, “and you can say the police are going to go out there and enforce it, but I think at the end, everybody is going to be disappointed because I don't think that, uh, we're going to be able to do what everyone wants us to do.”

Council members and staff discussed options including improved signage outside the city limits (to direct through trucks to the bypass), a possible dual speed limit for trucks, targeted enforcement events, and a small working group to craft recommendations. Staff said the Nebraska Department of Transportation declined a request to place additional signs on the new bypass because of concerns about “sign fatigue” near a roundabout.

Council members encouraged staff to keep pressing NDOT for signage, to explore whether selective speed limits for trucks could be practical, and to set up a small advisory group of council members, staff, Broad Street representatives and business stakeholders to draft proposals. Mayor and council closed the public‑comment period after the discussion and said the ongoing JEO Safe Streets study, due this summer, would supply additional crash analysis and a menu of potential projects.

Next steps: staff will continue outreach with NDOT and trucking partners, pursue the Safe Streets study recommendations when available, and form an informal small committee to develop specific proposals for signage, speed limits and enforcement strategies.