Residents urge city to curb semi traffic, update signage and GPS routing on Broad Street

Residents living along Broad Street pressed the City Council to take concrete steps to reduce heavy truck traffic and improve pedestrian safety.

"We're back because the trucks are back too," said Ellen Lund, a Broad Street resident, who described repeated speeding and engine braking by semis using the street during and after construction. Lund asked the council to change truck-route signage near 23rd & Broad to reflect local-only restrictions, lower the speed limit (ideally to 25 mph, or 30 as a compromise), add a pedestrian-controlled signal at 19th & Broad and prioritize enforcement.

Gene Chapelier, who identified himself as living on North Broad Street, said the city now controls Broad Street after a jurisdictional transfer and therefore can set enforceable local rules. He called for ordinances to establish truck districts with weight limits "such as maybe 26,000 pounds," and urged the city to supply corrected routing data to commercial navigation providers so GPS systems do not route through neighborhoods. "This is about safety, quality of life, and common sense planning," Chapelier said.

Other speakers during public comment proposed physical traffic-calming measures (lane narrowing, turn restrictions, humps) or a long-term rebuild to accommodate commercial traffic. Council members did not take formal action during the public comment period; speakers asked staff and council to pursue enforceable signage, GPS updates, and targeted enforcement so local trucks adhere to speed and braking rules.

Next steps: the issue arose through the public‑comment period; councilmembers and staff will need to determine whether to draft ordinances, fund signage changes, or request mapping updates from navigation providers.