Several Centerville residents fed up with the traffic on 100 South approached the city council at their March 19 meeting to ask for help in addressing the problem.

“100 South as you know, that's a primary thoroughfare for all visitors to the city to go to the dikes and to enjoy that recreation and we should be grateful that we have such a thing and that people can enjoy it,” Tracy James said, asking that the city help the residents on that street out and consider some traffic calming ideas. “As they come into our community and run up our street we’re hoping that the city as you approach your budget season would take into consideration maybe a suggestion.”

James then gave city officials some photos of traffic calming measures being employed in Salt Lake City. Such things as snow removal, vehicles and trailers going up the street and low profile vehicles could all be addressed to allow these measures he said. 

“As you go through your budget process could you look at 100 South and what could be done?” he said. “The question would be, well everybody will want it right after that, [but] they’re not the thoroughfare to the dikes; we are the thoroughfare. There are other ways around but I’d hope you would consider this option.”

“There’s lots of children on that street, they’re not gamers, that play outside, and we hope that you would consider them,” he said.

Russ Nicholson also lives on 100 South and has noticed a lot of speeding but mitigation efforts don’t seem to be effective, he said. He and his wife have five children who like to play outside and support James’ efforts to have the city make the street safer, he said. 

Wendy Brockland has the largest yard on the street, she said. “The kids are constantly playing in my yard and I love them playing in my yard but my fear is that these cars that are running and speeding up and down our streets one of these days is going to hit a child. It’s just a matter of time until something bad happens. These trucks are going up the road full of motorcycles and razors and they’re going faster than 25 miles an hour and if they had to stop suddenly something bad’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of time until somebody gets seriously hurt.”

Lately she has seen several trucks filled with kids with razors coming from the dikes, she said. Centerville police officers told her they have ticketed many of these people but it hasn’t been a deterrent, she said.

Another 100 South resident, Ryan Moyes enjoys walking and hiking with his family but with no sidewalks on the street they are forced into the street to get anywhere he said. “That certainly is a concern for safety.” 

Several other 100 South residents attended the meeting but did not address the council. Mayor Clark Wilkinson thanked them all for coming and told the residents the city council would have staff members research the issue and bring information to them for discussion at a future council meeting.

“We really appreciate doing these open sessions and having you come out to bring these issues you know to the forefront and to be able to know about them,” he said.

Councilmember Robyn Mecham also praised the residents for attending city council meeting and being proactive on the issue.

“It  does my heart good to see you all here,” she said. “I sat out there for many years … I was lots of times the instigator that got [things done], but we don't have very many citizens come anymore. … I'm just happy that you're all here, that you've organized and this is how to get things done.”