Re: Linda Zorn's letter, Changing truck route just moves problem to Gordon Drive (Nov. 28).
I just want to comfort Linda and possibly all the residents and business owners on Gordon who are concerned about truck traffic with some information from a study that was done from 2007 to 2010 (before Ellis Street allowed only 12-hour truck traffic, as well as the two times Ellis was closed to all traffic).
Here's a direct quote from the report to city council, and what their decision to close Ellis as a truck route was based on: "Over all, the heavy truck traffic volume has decreased on Gordon Drive over the past five years."
The report further states, "More importantly, it shows the truck traffic during the two times in 2010 and 2012 when Ellis Street was closed for construction and all truck traffic was diverted to alternate routes.
"Despite the closure of Ellis, truck traffic has continued to decrease."
The following stats were captured during the Ellis Street closure in May of 2010, and September 2012.
Daily volumes, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
2007 - total vehicles 11,600, heavy trucks 2,190
2010 - total vehicles 7,225, heavy trucks 1,215
2012 - total vehicles 9,510, heavy trucks 770
I think this is proof that closing Ellis Street as a truck route will not add 400 more trucks daily to Gordon Drive.
The full report is on the City of Kelowna website; I encourage everyone to read it.
Council did do their homework and have been responsible in making their decisions based on these facts.
Rodney Friesen,
Kelowna