Residents and planners warn of truck-queuing and DOT constraints near proposed wash

Traffic impacts and queuing on adjacent town and state roads were a focal point of public comments and staff discussion during the PZ-26-7 hearing. A resident warned that a single-lane entrance and truck queuing could block Mahaliak and Holster streets and choke a nearby three-way intersection; the commission pressed the applicant and traffic consultant for details.

Mark Fortunchi, the traffic consultant who presented the study, said the analysis accounted for trucks that would divert from nearby facilities (TA, Travel America, FedEx) to use the truck wash and then re-enter the highway. "Short answer to your question is yes," Fortunchi said when asked whether trips from existing highway facilities were included. Planning staff cautioned that mitigating queuing is complicated because the roadway between the project entrance and the ramps transitions from town to state jurisdiction and the nearby bridge had been downgraded for heavier trucks; any physical changes affecting the state right-of-way would require DOT review and are not guaranteed. Staff suggested the commission could delegate post-approval technical work and right-of-way negotiations to staff and the town engineer if the commission chose to approve with conditions.

Residents and at least one commissioner urged pre-construction measures such as a meeting to agree on routes for construction traffic and hold the applicant accountable for road repairs if heavy construction trips damage local roads. The commission scheduled deliberations for Aug. 18, 2026, and staff said they would continue gathering DOT mapping and explore feasible mitigation options.