BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT MITCHELL -- Mayor Thomas Holocher said Monday the city will solicit support from local, state and federal officials for a permanent truck ban on Interstate 75 in Northern Kentucky.
Trucks would be forced to detour on I-275.
But the mayor and city officials cautioned that the chances of instituting a permanent truck ban are slim unless all municipalities and legislators support the effort. The proposed permanent truck ban would be effective after the infamous S-curve is straightened. "I personally would like to see trucks banned forever," Mayor Holocher said. "We can work towards that."
Councilman Howard Pauly said he plans to introduce a resolution at a future meeting in support of a permanent truck ban.
The issue of a permanent truck ban was introduced by residents at Monday's city council meeting. Dr. Faye Allen of Fort Mitchell was one of the most vocal supporters for a permanent ban, citing concerns about noise and air pollution and safety on the highway from truck traffic.
Dr. Allen suggested an organized effort by residents to rally for a permanent ban. She suggested a ban similar to the one on Atlanta's Interstate 285 perimeter. Since 1983, tractor trailers have been banned within the I-285 perimeter, except for pickups and deliveries. City officials said concrete reasons need to be developed in support of a permanent ban.
A temporary truck ban on Interstate 71 - 75 and I-471, expected to end in 2000, began April 1. The ban applies to trucks not making local deliveries and recreational vehicles, which are required to use the I-275 loop.
The ban was instituted as a safety measure because of three construction jobs: the Brent Spence Bridge redecking, the Fort Washington Way project in Cincinnati, and the S-curve project in Fort Mitchell. City Administrator Bill Goetz said persuading the city of Cincinnati to support a permanent truck ban will be crucial because Cincinnati hasn't fully supported the existing truck ban.
Other residents urged city council to address speeding along their streets, most notably on Beechwood Road. They said children are in danger from speeding motorists who use their streets to avoid construction traffic.
Speed bumps and cuts in the streets were suggested as ways to slow motorists.
Other residents asked that sound barriers be erected to block noise from the S-curve reconstruction. "I think it's a very big concern," said Plarue Simpson of West Maple Avenue.
Mr. Simpson was among residents worried about pollution and noise from the nearby highway, caused by the removal of mature trees from a berm in front of their homes.
