Residents urge action on Broad Street truck traffic as council outlines next steps

Residents who live along North Broad Street told the Fremont City Council at a study session that heavy truck traffic and engine braking have degraded livability and safety, and they urged the city to take immediate steps to reduce impacts.

Don Atwell, who has lived at 1650 North Broad Street for more than 45 years, said the community is not seeking to ban trucks entirely but wants what is “reasonable” for a neighborhood. Atwell asked the council to lower the speed limit to 25 mph and add four-way stops at Linden, 16th and 19th streets to encourage through trucks to use the US 77 bypass and ease wear on Broad Street. “This would make the South Beltway more attractive to through traffic, easing the burden on Broad Street and the taxpayers of Fremont,” he said.

Multiple other residents backed Atwell’s concerns. Ellen Lund, who has lived on Broad Street since 1977, said she counted 19 tractor-trailers in a 10-minute period during a quiet time of day and described repeated use of engine braking and red-light-running: “Jake braking is unreal…municipal 5-3-24 is not being used or paid attention.” Loretta Maestro said recent increased police presence helps but urged officers to issue citations when infractions are observed.

Businesses expressed caution about restrictive measures that would affect deliveries. Michael Arps, president and co-owner of Arps Ready Mix, said Broad Street is a state highway and routing local deliveries around the bypass would impose heavy costs on local firms and customers. “We certainly hope that we can continue to use Broad Street with the existing stoplights in place,” Arps said.

City staff and council members highlighted jurisdictional and enforcement constraints. Dan Gillis, director of public works, noted the state retains legal title on the relinquished highway segment and the city must coordinate with Nebraska Department of Transportation on changes that affect state highway function. City Administrator Jody Sanders said NDOT declined at least one request to add ‘no jake braking’ signage on the new bypass, citing concerns about sign fatigue.

Chief Jeff Elliott told the council enforcement is limited by operational realities: “The single biggest issue we have is the lack of manpower. We don't have the officers … to sit and watch traffic there.” Elliott said the corridor’s width, traffic volume and lack of staging or parking areas make sustained enforcement inefficient. Council members discussed interim options including special enforcement events, targeted overtime, dual speed limits for trucks, an identification/decals system for local trucks, and forming an informal committee of council, staff and Broad Street representatives to develop recommendations.

The council did not adopt a new ordinance at the meeting. Several members emphasized that signage and public notification should precede any enforcement. Councilman Blair Horner urged the council to continue working with residents and businesses and to pursue practical measures rather than immediate widespread enforcement.

The safe-streets study being completed by JEO this summer will provide crash-analysis data the council said it will use alongside community input to shape next steps. Staff will continue outreach to NDOT and explore options for targeted enforcement events and legislative or regulatory approaches.