PETITION: No Trucks On Douglas Road

As residents of Larimer County, who live, travel and recreate in the vicinity of Douglas Road we protest its unsafe and destructive use by heavy trucks, 18-wheel semis and sand, gravel and concrete trucks. In addition to endangering pedestrians, large trucks pose an environmental risk to area wildlife. 

CONCERNS EXIST FOR:

1. THE SAFETY of Larimer County pedestrians walking and biking along Douglas Road, which is in poor condition and has minimal shoulders.
2. THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT of diesel fumes, exhaust and noise pollution on the wildlife along Douglas Road and Shields Road in the Terry Lake area. This includes a known bald eagle nest, other federally protected birds of prey, small mammals (fox, rabbits, raccoons, endangered Preble’s jumping mouse, etc.) and larger mammals (deer, bobcats, mountain lions, etc.).
3. THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT  on residents who live along Douglas Road. This includes exhaust fumes and loud Jake brakes that awaken residents early and late in the day.
4. THE SAFETY due to vehicles that do not adhere to the posted speed limit of 35 mph and the lack of enforcement by county law enforcement officers.
5. THE LACK OF PUBLIC INPUT on changes to Douglas Road that will only encourage more use by heavy truck traffic.

This petition requests the following changes:

1. Hold multiple sessions for public input on Douglas Road renovations to best meet the needs of area residents.
2. Discourage the use of Douglas and Shields as an official or unofficial truck route.
3. Prohibit the use of Jake brakes along Douglas Road and enforce.
4. Enforce the posted speed limit of 35 mph on Douglas Road
5. Address safety issues and existing/current damage to Douglas Road caused by large truck traffic to date. We request the following changes:
6. Repairing the road and the shoulders
7. Adding a separate bike/walking lane that is not part of the road to aid in pedestrian safety.
8. Add multiple raised crosswalks with lights to aid pedestrians in crossing the road.
9. Do not widen the turn at Douglas and Shields as it encourages truck traffic.
10. Designate an official east-west truck route north of Douglas Road.

Please notify the residents in the area of Douglas and Shields, north of College (Hwy 287), of coming meetings to allow input on the changes proposed to Douglas Road.