Heavy Truck Traffic Speed Reduction Request

All,

City Council members representing Ward 2 (the Captain John Mullan Neighborhood) are receiving complaints about large construction traffic driving at higher speeds than the posted speed limit on Mary Jane Boulevard.  The recent construction of the north (north of Camden Street to W. Broadway Street) and south (south of Melrose Place to Mullan Road) segments of Mary Jane Boulevard has resulted in a continuous collector street from W. Broadway Street to Mullan Road. The current posted speed limits of the previous existing segment (Camden Street to Melrose Place) are 25 mph. The new segments, both north and south of the previous existing segment, are currently signed at 30 mph. However, the City will look to reduce these 30 mph segments to 25 mph in the near future so that the entire length of Mary Jane Boulevard will be posted at 25 mph. 

As we all know, large vehicles are much louder when traveling at higher rates of speed. The additional noise from large trucks, safety concerns (children crossing the street) with these vehicles traveling at higher rates of speed, and the extended times of large truck use are what we’re hearing from citizens along Mary Jane Boulevard. With this said, this message is a request for you and drivers of your company large construction trucks to please drive 25 mph on the previous existing segment (Camden Street to Melrose Place) as this is still the posted speed limit and will go a long way at successfully mitigate citizens’ complaints and safety concerns. In addition, to the best of your ability, limit the times of truck traffic use to normal working hours. Outside of regular work hours, please use Reserve Street as an alternate route. For abnormally wide or long loads, we encourage the use of Reserve Street as well.

We appreciate your attention to this request and assistance with limiting the impacts of large construction truck traffic impacts to those living along Mary Jane Boulevard and allowing them to enjoy a reasonably quiet and calm street and reducing their safety concerns!

Thanks,

Kevin J. Slovarp, P.E. | he/him/his | City Engineer for Surface Transportation
Department of Public Works & Mobility
Planning & Engineering Division | Engineering
Office: 406-552-6099, Cell: 406-529-6596 | KSlovarp@ci.missoula.mt.us