the FACTS from MDT wrote on Sep 24, 2010 11:00 AM:

" Lincoln Avenue in Sidney is under the jurisdiction of the City of Sidney for operation and maintenance. Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) never has had any authority over this route in regards to operation (load limits, speeds, etc.). The City has always had this authority.

Prior to 1990, this avenue was eligible for federal and state aid to address necessary improvements to the avenue, but MDT never had the operation or maintenance, it always remained with the City. MDT has no authority to regulate speeds or load limits on this avenue, this enforcement always has been with the City. "




Lisa wrote on Sep 19, 2010 2:54 PM:

" I'm affraid Lincoln will always be a busy street, with or with out trucks, so suck it up.Complain all u want nothing will change, "




To Really wrote on Sep 17, 2010 12:29 PM:

" You are not in the right mind if you think the trucks, local and passing through, do not speed. More of them speed than not speed when they go through town. Many trucks make it through all three lights. They usually make it through the 3rd light because they are going to fast to stop. Don't blame it on misjudging of there speed because we are in a smaller vehicle. Many in our family drive truck and know the difference between 25 and 35mph that they usually do. "




Sam wrote on Sep 17, 2010 12:13 PM:

" To the one discussing the truck route: The truck route is exactly that. Lincoln is not to be used as a truck route. Those on the truck route knew of this before living there. They should not complain other than if the trucks speed. Enough said. "




FBR wrote on Sep 16, 2010 9:53 PM:

" I can understand the concerns from the residents on Lincoln. We all need to understand that there is obviously more truck traffic than can be handled by the current road lay out. Trucks should be allowed on two, yes, TWO roads through Sidney. The designated truck route and Central. WHY? Because it is not practical to assume that ALL truck traffic can get around the corners on the truck route and some might have to go straight through town. Sidney needs to build a new truck route that will take trucks around the south end of Sidney Sugars and then north to Central past the main entrance to the plant. I don't think there is ANY LOGICAL reason for thru trucks to use Lincoln. That is obviously a residential area. It is, however, a very dangerous corner at Central and Holly if you turn north onto Holly coming from Williston. There should be a light at that corner. This might be part of the reason for trucks using Lincoln to get to Holly. "




really wrote on Sep 16, 2010 9:18 PM:

" dear Citizen-01,
The Franz drivers are not in the yard by 5 everynight...so you must have witnessed one night where one driver was speeding, don't lump them all together. Also there is no way for them to speed through the majority of "downtown" when there are 3 traffic lights three blocks in a row "downtown" and they usually hit at least one of them at a redlight.
It is a bit intimidating to see a procession of gravel trucks coming up behind you, yes it is, but remember they are much larger than your vehicle and it just may appear that they are going faster, plus you maybe one of the local 10 mph'ers that frequents downtown, so yes then the speed limit of 25 is goingto seem CRAZY! "




... wrote on Sep 16, 2010 5:48 PM:

" Why is it always the people that complain about everything that seem to get ignored by the police department? Is it really that they are not enforcing the laws you feel are the important ones? Maybe, but if you want to feel like you are being victimized, just think of it as them knowing you will whine no matter what so they're ignoring you. There are two things I don't see much of. First, where are all the people that live on the truck route stating how happy they are because apparently, if what everyone is saying is true, there are never any trucks on it. Second, you don't see them writing letters and starting petitions because they live next to the not wide enough, not tall enough truck route. You know how they deal with it? They adapt instead of complain. The rest of us don't revolve around your being annoyed about something. You don't like it? Move. Get a house on a county road. Then, you can take it upon yourself to repost the speed limit on a county road, which goes back to is it really the law, or just what you think the law should be? "




i see wrote on Sep 16, 2010 8:50 AM:

" I see more and more oil companies starting to use Lincoln instead of Central---this should be on track with what the city council had in mind-- "




Randy wrote on Sep 16, 2010 12:34 AM:

" GPA - You will also have to be able to prove who was driving when you get to court. "




Patrick Sievert wrote on Sep 15, 2010 8:16 PM:

" On an unrelated note, will Sidney ever get stop/yield signs for the residential parts of town?

I've seen way too many drivers (mostly young drivers) fly right through intersections (without signs either direction) without even slowing down to look for traffic. "




GPA wrote on Sep 15, 2010 6:34 AM:

" There is a simple answer. When you see a truck on Lincoln, note the date, time and licence plate #. A photo is good. File a signed complait with the Police Dept. You may have to appear in court to back up your complaint but so does the driver. That is a real inconvience for them. Enought time in court and they will find another route "




Randy wrote on Sep 14, 2010 11:25 PM:

" Just curious ... maybe someone from the City can answer - Why is there a weight limit on Lincoln? Are their shallow utilities that could be damaged? Was the street built to different specifications than Central? Like I said, I'm just curious and looking for information, not joining the fight...on either side. "




Resident wrote on Sep 14, 2010 9:03 PM:

" If you think the traffic down Lincoln is bad now, wait until they change Central Avenue to 3 lanes. With all the trucks on Central Avenue, people will have to use routes like Lincon Avenue to get around. "




To Really wrote on Sep 14, 2010 8:13 PM:

" To Really:
I did some searching but can't find the law. Can you please give the law that says trucks can only use truck routes and state roads? If that was true, every oil field truck on a county road would be in violation.

To all the other Lincoln complainers:
The rumor I heard is the weight limit signs on Lincoln is not even enforceable and are just feel good signs. Has someone asked the city if Lincoln has weight restrictions? The Herald's article never mentioned talking to the city about the problem, only the police chief.

Finally, putting stop signs on Lincoln to keep trucks from using it is just punishing everyone else that uses Lincoln and obeys the speed limit. Stop signs will also create more congestion and probably make more accidents from people running stop signs. The whining will then be about people not stopping at the stop signs. "




Andy wrote on Sep 14, 2010 3:43 PM:

" One potential solution with more immediate impact than building a decent truck route in the distant future is putting up 3 new stop signs on Lincoln between Central Avenue and Holly St. Yes, they would be something of an inconvenience for those of us that use Lincoln Avenue but they would have several positive effects. Having to stop 4 times, instead of only once, would keep the average traffic speed down and make Lincoln less suitable for large trucks. "




Really wrote on Sep 14, 2010 1:13 PM:

" First off I think its a little rediculous that most of you are all talkung just to talk. If you want to post something instead of ranting try getting facts. By law semi's are not allowed on any road exept truck routes and state roads, so there for there is no reason for them to be on Lincoln as it does not fall into either catogory. And as for the police department not doing their jobs I have to agree to a point, their job is to monitor roads but their job also entails many other things. I find it a little crazy that you are all worried about a road, while it is an issue I agree, there are other issues in this town that should take pressidence over this that are not being taken care of. Like what about the fact that over half of you young drivers are drinking and driving and yet you rarely see any that get dui's. I honestly think that issues regarding our teens and how out of control many of them are take a front seat to semi's on a road. "




haha wrote on Sep 14, 2010 8:19 AM:

" It was the Sidney Police Dept. The driver didn't look all that happy when I went by. "




Lincoln resident wrote on Sep 13, 2010 11:24 PM:

" @ cry baby...Do you live on Lincoln?
@ a truck driver...Huh? Can you re-write what you were "trying" to say? WOW, we got the "all trucks should stop making deliveries to your town" comment, guess that might help put you out of a job
@Huh...you hit the nail on the head, thanks!
@ Salt meet the wound...you are funny, serious, you made me laugh about the mis-spellings...how did I do?

Everyone for the most part agrees and understands how we feel on Lincoln. Hope to see you all at a future meeting on solving this mess, unless certain trucks/truck drivers buck up and spend the extra 2 mins. taking the proper route.
@ HA HA...who had them pulled over, I am dying to know... "




Alex wrote on Sep 13, 2010 7:51 PM:

" Everyone likes to complain about the trucks being an issue and wants change right now...has anyone here made any real suggestions? My suggestion to this issue is to petition the city to improve the truck route to handle all this heavy vehicles and riggs. If they have an adequate route and still do not follow city policy on weight limits then they should definately be ticketed...problem solved. "




Lives on Lincoln wrote on Sep 13, 2010 6:01 PM:

" Far from being over...Lincoln Ave is very alive. I can bet there will be a change...WATCH... "




haha wrote on Sep 13, 2010 9:12 AM:

" Looks like someone is taking notice. I saw a Redi-Mix truck pulled over on Lincoln on my home from work on Friday afternoon. "




grass roots campaign wrote on Sep 13, 2010 8:36 AM:

" I say, lets band together, taking action. All we need is 2 people with cars and enough time in their day to sit, one at each end of Lincoln. When they see large truck, pull out in front and drive 5 mph the length of Lincoln. That should slow them down. A few days of 5 mph and maybe the trucks will find another route. "




mmmm wrote on Sep 13, 2010 7:51 AM:

" Maybe it's time for the people to step up and deal with these violators themselves. "




John Weber wrote on Sep 12, 2010 7:30 PM:

" How bout the chief and sheriff plus other top administrators in the police and sheriffs depts getting off their butts and patrol Lincoln themselves to stop these violations. BUT that would require effort. "




howhigh wrote on Sep 12, 2010 4:21 PM:

" now lets see what happens to the price of concrete! "




your all cry babies wrote on Sep 12, 2010 4:09 PM:

" you all need to quit your whining, a public street is a public street, and all them drivers pay taxes too... "




Huh wrote on Sep 12, 2010 12:40 PM:

" If the state has turned the responsibility over to city why not put a couple of "speed bumps" or stop signs on Lincoln to address the concern. Seems to me the mayor needs to address his constituents concerns. "




resident wrote on Sep 12, 2010 11:59 AM:

" we do not have a truck route so there is no truck route to use. The current route they are calling a truck route is a farm to work route. the trucks do not have to use it even if it was the truck route they still do not have to use it. so quit whining and get over it. "




Mel wrote on Sep 11, 2010 10:00 PM:

" To Frustrated.........
first off, do NOT complain about the county deputies. There is only 1 maybe 2 on shift at a time. And if you actually followed them during their shift, they do drive around the county and pull speeders over....like they are suppose to do. Obviously they cannot be everywhere at once and pull them all over, because there are only 1 or 2 on for the whole Richland County at a time.
Secondly, do not blame the county for not enforcing traffic in the city. If the county guys do the city officer's jobs for them, the chief complains. Is that right? obviously not..but thats the way it is. You would think the city would appreciate that they help out.
So you need to realize that some of the officers (county deputies) ARE doing their job. If you do not believe me, just watch the Sheriffs blotter in the paper and see for yourself how many people get charged with DUI's and other traffic violations. "




A truck driver wrote on Sep 11, 2010 9:53 PM:

" im a local driver and like most of us dont use lincoln because even empty your overweight for it why are you putting down our police and if your worried about it there are others you can call or get off your butt and go out to flashing light when the D O T is there if there is a besides when a city cop stops a truck they cant write the ticket it has to be a highway patrol sheriff or Dot they way you all complain i think all semi trucks should quit making deliveries to your town "




citizen-01 wrote on Sep 11, 2010 9:43 PM:

" If you want to catch a semi-truck speedding down central ave between 4:30 and 5:00PM, watch the drivers from Franz construction on the way back to there yard. "




give me a break wrote on Sep 11, 2010 8:53 PM:

" To: Ok whatever..you can tell you are a mad ready mix whiner..we are not talking about a delivery to someone's home. I think most of us on Lincoln see what a neighbor may be doing for a remodel or something. And lots of folks probably use ready-mix..but do you have to use our street as a short cut? It's not about you as a business, or even pouring cement at a residential job you may have on Lincoln..It's about the short cut route you use each and every day..18,000 gross weight. Pretty simple and pretty clear. "




Mr Lincoln wrote on Sep 11, 2010 8:24 PM:

" Bottom line..my neighbors have friends with Ready-mix drivers, They laugh and say we as people on Lincoln can't do ANYTHING about them. I say B.S. how many people on one certain street have stood up to them? If we as a whole, (I do mean people on Lincoln) stand up and work together, who are these guys to say we can't do a thing? I wish I was as cool as Ready-mix. Nobody has banded together and stood up to these trucks and companies before. I would bet we can make some sort of change. I will help anyway that I can, and really would like to see people come on board. We ALL on Lincoln should work together regarding this issue. Overweight trucks that DO NOT BELONG, and people who speed on this street. We are a RESIDENTIAL neighborhood. Speed bumps? Stop signs? That alone would be enough to use another route. Sidney is a great place to live and raise your children, all that we are asking is to enforce the law. Speeding and weight restrictions. If it's legal, take down the signs. Makes the city look pretty complacent. I bet it would be different, if county or city officials lived on Lincoln. Anyone out there? "




Robert wrote on Sep 11, 2010 8:23 PM:

" I find it amazing that so many people do not get the simple point that trucks exceeding a certain axle weight limitation are not allowed on that street. Many cities have "no trucks" signs with another sign right under it stating "except local deliveries." How hard could it be for our police department to enforce the existing laws. There is no reason this could not be the case here and our Police department could certainly do a better job of enforcing the laws instead of ignoring the problem. "




salt meet wound wrote on Sep 11, 2010 7:44 PM:

" You all have easement violations in your yard, with fences and hedges blocking drivers' view at intersections. You all have no respect for the speed limit, crosswalks, pedestrians or parked cars. You all have no business leaving the truck route. You all can't spell anything right, and keep choosing the wrong words out of "their" "there" "they're" "your" "you're" etc. "




omg wrote on Sep 11, 2010 5:47 PM:

" At "What ever" We aren't complaining about "cement" trucks that are doing a job. HELLO...we are complaining about the "fact" that the Redimix "belly dumps" use it as a thorough way to get from point A to point B. Perhaps had you read the story, AND our stories before you posted your comment it would have came out something like "wow, that really sucks that Redimix truck drivers can't obey the law" OR " I sure hope they don't start coming down MY street.
At "not stopping" That is one of the reason we need the trucks off Lincoln. "




Randy wrote on Sep 11, 2010 5:37 PM:

" To "What ever" - There is a BIG difference between a truck making a delivery and a fleet of trucks using a street as a thoroughfare to save 2 minutes of travel time. "




patches wrote on Sep 11, 2010 4:12 PM:

" Hey whatever: This has nothing to do with local construction, which isn't a real concern, as it's local progress/and residential permitted jobs. This is for trucks cutting shortcuts, and frankly, they DO fly down lincoln, at or over 30+ miles an hour, which flings gravel from tires, because Maldahls Sweepers are too busy sweeping streets for the more fortunate High-Class people of our community, that gets rarely traveled per-say. "




Andy wrote on Sep 11, 2010 3:22 PM:

" What ever, the issue is not cement trucks. It is 2 semitrucks and 1 large dump truck hauling sand with a minimum of 1 round trip per hour all day long. The larger of the semis typically runs 35 mph up and down South Lincoln. Cement trucks to construction sites within city limits are fine. The Redi-Mix trucks are hauling sand to the cement plant south of town, unless they're going north on Lincoln, then turning left on Holly to take sand to the Redi-Mix plant in Culberton. "




What ever... wrote on Sep 11, 2010 11:41 AM:

" You all want to complain about concrete trucks on your street,but I guess if you need a load of cement to pour a new side walk or anything else you want to get built it's o.k. then huh??Anything you want done it's fine as long as they don't upset your little world any other time.Give me a break...the next time you need cement mix it in a wheel barrow. "




Not stopping wrote on Sep 11, 2010 11:15 AM:

" How about all the hedges and fences one comes across when needing to turn onto Lincoln? One has to edge out to see if there is a car coming! That in itself is a danger for an accident or hitting a child trying to cross on Lincoln after or before school! As for the trucks using the truck route? Just count how many trucks go right down central! And they want to make that a 3 lane...good grief! "




Yeah..ok.. wrote on Sep 10, 2010 10:12 PM:

" The police don't do much of anything..if they wanted to enforce they would be sitting on the street or a side street like Fairview. I always slow down and drive the speed limit there, and have seen people get pulled over many times when they pass me at 30+ mph through town.They can say what they want,but the law is NOT enforced and their ARE more complaints than a couple a year.I live here and I talk to people..how many law enforcement folks live on Lincoln? Ready Mix? It's an entire different world when it envolves your front door, or street in this case.Meldahl and Difonzo,I will be driving by your home every morning and afternoon in my big ready mix truck as a short cut to my next job..sure hope you don't mind, but if you do, I can bet things would get done around here. "




omg wrote on Sep 10, 2010 1:04 PM:

" UH...complaining...yes. They were told "you can't stop us" "




Good one wrote on Sep 10, 2010 1:00 PM:

" Good one "optimist"!!
What ever the city does, they should add a couple cross walks. Although they may not do any good just like the rest of them. "




Optimist wrote on Sep 10, 2010 7:23 AM:

" Maybe we should make lincoln a 3 lane, and put a round about by the pool. "




Wondering wrote on Sep 10, 2010 2:51 AM:

" So people are complaing but has anyone tried calling these companies that are driving trucks on Lincoln (like Sidney Mix)? "




OMG wrote on Sep 9, 2010 11:46 PM:

" Bottom line is that there ARE weight restrictions posted at both ends of Lincoln Ave and they are NOT being adhered to. There is really only one Daily offender of this, and they so blatantly tell us we can't stop them? We,on Lincoln understand where there is a need when construction is being done ie: Pella, but this daily offender is not even contracted with them other than to dump cement! That is understandable and tolerated. There seems to be some real lack of respect for those that live on Lincoln along with the Law, not like they try to do anything anyway, chat on your cells phones, eat your donuts, but by all means, DON'T do what we the tax payers expect of you and that is UPHOLD THE LAWS IN THIS TOWN!!!!
Fixing the Truck route isn't going to change things, Central ave. is debatable until it goes into effect and REALLY P...uh upset the truck drivers so that MAYBE they WILL start taking the truck route. Most of them abide by the LAW and wouldn't even think of coming down Lincoln. No, those of us on Lincoln KNOW who the big offender is. We see you guys EVERY day, 10-20 times a day, and we ARE going to change it. Quit being so Lazy, take the proper route "




DelRae Steinbeisser wrote on Sep 9, 2010 9:28 PM:

" What scares me are all the kids that are too young for a driver's license driving golf carts and ATVs around that part of town. No seatbelts. I find that a little strange that they are allowed to do that. "




citizen wrote on Sep 9, 2010 8:21 PM:

" i think that if they would fix the truck route and make it so that it is more truck friendly we would see less truck traffic everywhere else and make it so that the truck route goes completely around town instead of just on one side that would eliminate trucks on the main street and on lincoln and people would be less upset all the way around. "




John Weber wrote on Sep 9, 2010 6:50 PM:

" Drivers of large trucks, most certainly semi's, should have enough sense not to drive on Lincoln. My god, what cant the drivers of these rigs use the truck route? Any driver of a large rig that damages vehicles or property along Lincoln should be required to reimburse owners in full plus 75% or their employers should pay for the damage. As for the wieght limit, and if i recall right there used to be signs posted stating the weight limit. Why cant the city do the same? I always thought Mayor Brent Smelser had some brains. Now i wonder. "




Native wrote on Sep 9, 2010 12:48 PM:

" I have to agree with Randy about the 4-wheelers being driven recklessly.Can't believe more of them haven't been ran over out there yet from not watching where they're going.Should have never allowed them to be plated and put on the streets in the first place.They are a menace. "




enforcement wrote on Sep 9, 2010 11:39 AM:

" The only traffic law enforcement I have observed around here is occasionally when the Montana Highway Patrol come up here from Glendive. "




1 more thing wrote on Sep 9, 2010 11:36 AM:

" Another observation. I counted the last 10 police officers I have passed in town and 9 of them were on cell phones while driving around. Maybe they should pay attention to thier jobs and what is going on around them, not talking on cell phones. "




lincolnres wrote on Sep 9, 2010 10:33 AM:

" I live on Lincoln and there are ppl constantly driving too fast on our street. I think I have seen maybe 2 ppl ever pulled over in the years I have live there. Send the petition around, I will sign it! "




citizen wrote on Sep 9, 2010 9:56 AM:

" Kind of like all the folks who park their trailers, campers, boats, etc. That law is not enforced either. Get them off the street!! "




frustrated wrote on Sep 9, 2010 9:54 AM:

" This is a prime example of the lack of traffic law enforcement around here. The county and city police do very little in the way of traffic law. Get out on the highways around Sidney and if you go the speed limit you will get run over by cars and trucks. How about people that are too lazy to actually stop at a stop sign. Lincoln ave is just one part of a bigger problem. I drive down lincoln on a daily basis and it frustrates me to see what is going on and I feel for the residents who live there. When will the Law Enforcement step up around here and do there jobs? That includes both county and city. "




the sign wrote on Sep 9, 2010 9:21 AM:

" From what I understand there aren't many trucks including beet trucks that are under the weight limit for Lincoln, is the reason DOT can't set up a weigh station because it is maintained by the city? Couldn't the city lease one for a day and do a surprise weigh day???
"hello" is correct sitting at swimming lessons this summer every morning, the only large trucks you see on Lincoln daily are Redimix trucks, no Franz, no Neu, no tankers, no Hi-Line, no Wild West, only Redimix trucks. Couldn't the police pull them over and ticket them?
I will also admit that I am a person who does occasionally speed on Lincoln, and I have met a local PD when speeding and thought for sure I was getting a ticket and didn't get pulled over at all. "




justwait wrote on Sep 9, 2010 8:48 AM:

" If you think its bad now, just wait until central is three-lane "




hello wrote on Sep 9, 2010 7:32 AM:

" --why didn't you put a picture of one of Sidney-Mix gravel trucks on the front page---they are the main ones misuseing Lincoln--they transfer gravel front nw of town to a site south of town--and use Lincoln instead of the truck route--now if all the oil companies start doing this --and why not???? "




Randy wrote on Sep 9, 2010 2:00 AM:

" From what I've seen, its not just the large trucks that are speeding. In fact, I would bet that FAR more cars and pick-ups are responsible for excessive speed - with the occasional "4-wheeler" toys that are usually driven with reckless abandon. Just try driving up/down Lincoln at the speed limit and see how many of your friends, neighbors, relatives and co-workers you can P... er ... Upset. "

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