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Proposed weight limits to keep trucks off residential streets spark a debate By
Karen Funk HYRUM--Residents and local business owners filled the council room Thursday to express concern about lifting the restriction on vehicle weight limits on several residential streets in northwest Hyrum. The Council has not yet made a decision. For now, the restrictions are off. Weight limits on 400 North, 400 West and 300 West exist to prevent large trucks from passing through residential areas. Children play in yards along those streets. The concern from the businesses is that without access to these streets, their trucks are forced to use roads that are even more dangerous due to sharp corners, fog and railroad tracks. "This is an emotional issue," says Councilman Bruce O. James, who lives in the affected neighborhood. "Anyone else who lives in these areas would be emotional too." "There is no place for the kids to ride their bikes," said resident Tim Nielson. "There are no parks in that end of town for the kids who don't have a place to play." "We are concerned about the safety of our children," said resident RuthAnn Miller. On the other hand, Chris Miller, owner of Miller Brothers Express, says the other roads people want them to take are dangerous, especially in the winter. There is a canal that runs along one side and the roads are very narrow. There is not enough room to make turns around the sharp corners and there is usually heavy fog. "This has always been an industrial area down here," says Miller. "This is nothing new." "The businesses in that area have as much right to 400 North as the people who live there," said Councilman Larry G. Gittins. Council members said they will decide on the issue at the next council meeting. In the meantime, Mayor Gordon Olson appointed two council members to the safety council along with two residents and two members of local businesses to discuss a new truck route.
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