Construction vehicles frequently rumbling past a Black Diamond couple’s home has the frustrated duo requesting the Town take action, yet council may wait until it addresses town traffic as a whole.
David Campbell went to Black Diamond town council July 6 to share concerns over diesel trucks, construction vehicles and semi tractors using 6th Avenue SW just north of the Oilfields Regional Hospital to access the nearby Riverwood development.
He said the road was never made to handle such large loads.
Campbell added that many vehicles ignore the three-way stop at 6th Avenue and 2nd Street in front of his home and estimated some go 80 km/hr in the 50 km/hr zone.
“People and construction workers are using this short 6th Avenue stretch as a shortcut to the highway,” he said. “It has no sidewalks, it has no curbs and it butts right up against our property.
“Other residents enjoy a degree of quiet and peace in their yards, whether outside or inside, and we have effectively lost that. Council needs to deal with this.”
Campbell said he understands why construction traffic is using the street. He said that while 5th Avenue to the north is twice as wide and paved, it’s “poorly constructed.”
“At every intersection it’s just a roller coaster ride,” he said. “There’s dips and valleys at the intersections. If you were hauling a trailer you could bottom out.”
Campbell suggested the Town post “local traffic only” signs to prevent traffic from using 6th Avenue SW and extend the nearby school zone sign an additional block to slow vehicles down.
Council directed that a peace officer check out the situation and make recommendations to bring back to council next month.
“The overall decision as to how we are going to deal with the suggestions regarding speed limits and signs we want to roll into a complete decision with speed limits and signage in town,” said Ruth Goodwin, deputy mayor. “We want to incorporate that all together so it’s not piecemeal.”
Goodwin said administration has been working on a plan to address speed limits and zones throughout the municipality for the last month and expects recommendations to come to council in September.
“It’s bringing the Town up to code and deciding whether or not it’s time for a change when it comes to speed limit changes within the municipality,” she said. “We will be doing a survey to see if the concerns encompass the whole town or very specific areas.”
Coun. Jackie Stickel told council she likes the idea of using local traffic signs and is concerned about heavy traffic damaging the road.
“We have to address the whole issue of construction vehicles when we look at roads and speeds this fall,” she said. “If we give it to protective services they can check it and see how big the issue is.”
Campbell told council it’s the second time he’s raised this issue with the town. Three years ago he expressed concerns about the construction traffic on the previously gravel road stirring up dust and a livestock trailer clipping his restored 1952 Chevy that was parked on the street.
The gravel was since oiled and rolled and the contractors and subcontractors were contacted regarding the traffic problem, temporarily rectifying the problem, he said.
This time he wants to see a permanent solution.
“I would ask why not be more proactive and deal with this problem head on by erecting proper signage,” he said. “Why have the peace officer study the problem twice in three years? I don’t think you need to study the situation. It’s obvious why people are using this as a shortcut. I think action needs to be taken now.”
