Trucks, buses ignore speed limits on Main Street, residents say

Trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles thunder over Longmont’s central business district throughout the day and night, causing noise and safety problems in the busiest portion of Longmont’s Main Street, city counselors were told Tuesday.

Residents and business owners told the council that big trucks ignore the downtown speed limit as well as stop and yield signs. Their comments came during a public invited to be heard portion of the council’s study session.

“You have RTD buses, trucks, semi-trucks and tow trucks coming through at unbelievable speeds,” Faye Lamb, Longmont Theater Company President told the council.

The trucks roar over Main Street from early morning to at least 9:30 p.m., Lamb said. “Semi trucks rattle the glass in the theater lobby. “

Lamb also said pedestrians are at risk on Main Street sidewalks, as two were recently hit by skateboarders. “Clearly there are concerns for people’s safety,” she said.

Other speakers agreed pedestrians are at risk on Longmont’s downtown streets, noting the recent death of 84-year-old Tony Umile, who was hit and killed by a vehicle near the intersection of Third Avenue and Pratt Street.

Umile, a well-known local photographer, was walking north and crossing Third Avenue when he was hit by a 2014 Subaru Impreza, driven by a 31-year-old man going east on Third Avenue.

Friends and neighbors of Umile pointed out to the Leader in early September that traffic safety was a concern in the area around Third Avenue and Pratt as well as near Central Elementary School. Third Avenue and Pratt is not clearly marked with a cross walk while stop signs are needed near the school.

“This city should be concerned about creating more pedestrian friendly neighborhoods, especially here in Old Town, by making it safer for pedestrians,” resident Cally Chenault told the Leader in September.