MOUNT VERNON — Various problems affecting truck drivers traveling through Mount Vernon have been noted over the past few months. Issues have already been discussed with City Council, the county commissioners and other groups in an effort to resolve issues truck drivers may be facing while navigating the city streets.
“Our drivers are semi-local. They know the area,” explained Guy Hadley, manager of Rand’s Trucking, whose fleet drives for Jeld-Wen Windows. “But for other truckers from around the country who are going through town, it can be an issue, especially if they are following their mileage monitor.”
“It is kind of a problem. If you don’t watch the signs, it can be a real issue,” said Alan Gaddis, a six-year employee of Rand’s Trucking. “Placement of signs is also important,” added Gaddis, in noting that tree limbs have at times grown over signs, making them more difficult to be seen.
One particular area of concern according to Gaddis is the curves at the south end of Mulberry Street which empty traffic onto the viaduct. “In making these turns, it can often require our drivers to use both lanes. And we can’t be bouncing off the curbs damaging the windows and our trucks,” said Gaddis. He offered a possible solution of signs alerting drivers in smaller vehicles to give truckers enough room to navigate around these curves. The same issue would exist for northbound traffic moving from South Main Street onto Gay Street.
“Also, if people would obey the stop lines, it helps truckers out a lot in getting around turns at intersections,” said Gaddis. He stated that he likes where the stop lines are on West High Street at the intersection of Sandusky Street. When drivers stay behind the stop lines, it helps in giving truckers enough room in making the left-hand turn in following Ohio 13 South, according to Gaddis.
Another area of concern is U.S. 36 east as truckers occasionally miss the turnoff at Park Street which routes traffic onto Coshocton Avenue. “I’ve seen it a lot on East High Street where trucks end up at Edgewood Drive and can’t get turned around,” said Gaddis.
