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Residents urge action after renewed truck routing on North Broad Street
Summary
Multiple Fremont residents pressed the City Council during public comment to curb semitrailer traffic on North Broad Street, citing confusing signage, speed and engine-braking concerns, pedestrian safety at 19th & Broad, and requests for enforceable truck-district rules and updated GPS routing data.
Several Fremont residents used the public-comment period at the Jan. 20 City Council meeting to press officials for action after a resurgence of truck traffic on North Broad Street.
"We're back because the trucks are back too," Ellen Lund told the council, saying signage still directs trucks onto Broad and asking officials to install clearer signs, lower the speed limit to 25 mph (she said residents could accept 30), and add a pedestrian-controlled signal at 19th & Broad. Gene Chapelier urged the city to pass ordinances to create truck districts and weight limits — for example, citing 26,000 pounds as a possible cap — and to update commercial navigation data so semis are routed to appropriate arterials rather than neighborhood streets.
Speakers described repeated engine-braking and high speeds by semis and flagged potential hazardous-material risks near homes and an upcoming park project. Loretta Maestro said the city had seen about three semi-related deaths last year and warned that current conditions could lead to another serious incident. John Atwell suggested two paths: redesign Broad Street as a truck-capable business route or implement traffic-calming (25 mph limits and four-way stops) to encourage truck routing to the South Beltway.
Council members did not debate policy during the public-comment period; several asked for follow-up during agenda items and staff presentations. Residents requested specific, enforceable steps including improved signage, speed enforcement focused on semi drivers, temporary or permanent traffic-calming devices, and formal submission of routing restrictions to mapping providers (Google, Apple, TomTom, OpenStreetMap) to reduce through-truck traffic.
