Veterans Drive is a Minor Arterial that is designed to accommodate truck traffic which may increase over time. Are trucks using the noisy compression (jake) brakes?

Yes, Eric. Brake noise is an issue as is truck operational sounds such as but not limited to bouncing containers and diesel engines.

Just how much noise and disturbances should residents live for the City to roll stock all day and all night?

Thank-you for your response. City code bans compression brakes within the City limits. I will evaluate the placement, visibility, and quantity of the signs on Veterans Drive, likely adding signs on the hill and perhaps relocating the sign at the top of the hill. I will also forward to Police for enforcement. I will also check the road condition, maybe there are some potholes that could be repaired to lessen the bumping and banging.

Thank you for your follow up! It is appreciated. Just when I was reading your comment last night, I got jarred with what I think was a bouncing 40 ft. container on Veterans Drive Bridge.

Part of my concern is being fueled by the TMP. It appears that in the TMP, this roadway will become what seems like a major east west freight corridor that connects SR 167 to well west of I5. Good for running containers 24/7. Not so good for residents that live along this section of Kent.

Thanks for checking for potholes, signage and the like. On my end, it would be better to have a engineering solution rather than promoting enforcement. An engineering solution is always present and enforcement is random and temporary.

The TMP does show Veterans Drive extending west and connecting to I-5, but Veterans Dr ends at the southbound (SB) I-5 ramps and does NOT continue further west. The intent has always been that Veterans Dr would be a freight corridor and has been planned that way for many years. Those plans pre-dated The Lakes development. Even with that said, we're not going to throw up our hands and walk away. There may be ways to improve the conditions for all, so we will continue to work with you and the community on the issue. We have received many comments about this issue recently during TMP outreach.

Thanks Eric. These seems like a good place to stop.

I never suggested that the City just throw up your hands and walk away on a project that predated The Lakes, the rise of Amazon, the departure of Boeing, the loss of streamlined sales tax and a pandemic. I am suggesting that adapting to and remembering your constituents that live along this corridor that have come after it was planned may not embrace the sounds of unmitigated rolling stock all day every day as it was originally intended.

Embrace the challenge.

Signage was evaluated and found suitable. Since this request was made, radar speeds signs were also installed as part of rotation plan. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me, Erik Preston, at epreston@kentwa.gov.