“What we’re looking at is a better way to help get the trucks where they need to go, but maybe in a better way than coming right through the center of town,” said Rob Cron, Vandalia’s public service director.
The city placed cameras at the intersection of National Rd. and Dixie Dr., Dixie Dr. and Northwoods Blvd., the Flying J Travel Center and the exit ramp at Northwoods Blvd for two days.
Butler Twp. resident Angela Adams lives on Old Springfield Road, about a quarter of a mile from the P&G building. “One of the biggest concerns (Butler Twp. residents) have is that Union is actively trying to attract more businesses to land rezoned industrial,” Adams said. “These roads cannot sustain what we already have.”
“It’s a real balancing act for us,” Cron said. “We’re obviously trying to attract new businesses here but, with that, comes increased trucking traffic.”
Stonequarry Crossings is about five minutes away.
Tom Hertline, another Butler Twp. resident, lives across the street from the industrial park. “You get the normal operational noise — docks going up and down; backup alarms,” he said.
Signs along U.S. 40 direct commercial vehicles away from National Road., suggesting an alternate route that involves driving south on Airport Access Road., east on Interstate 70 and then, finally, north on Interstate 75. But a quick glance at a map reveals why drivers’ GPS devices are telling them to cut through Vandalia, instead.
“The problem is more than (Route) 40,” Adams said Friday. “This morning, I got stuck behind semi-trucks on Peters Pike and it took me 18 minutes to get from my home to Northwoods Blvd, which is double the time it should take.”
Cron expects the city’s consultant to come back with a recommendation within two weeks. He said the city will consider rerouting traffic with additional signage.
But many, including Hertline, say there was no need for the study in the first place: “If you live here and sit and watch (the trucks go by), it’s pretty obvious where they’re going.”
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