The State of Georgia, Cherokee County Commissioners voted on March 17, 2020 to shut down only part of Union Hill Road to large truck traffic, which now diverts them all to turn onto Arbor Hill Road. This unfortunate decision, along with their previous decision to block large trucks from traveling on East Cherokee Drive, has dramatically increased the existing problem with very large trucks using Arbor Hill Road as a cut through.
Many residents that live on Arbor Hill Road have blind driveways and are taking chances every time they or their loved ones pull out onto Arbor Hill Road, especially with the excessive speeds many of these large trucks are traveling. There are several large subdivisions located on Arbor Hill Road which includes Woodmont and Orange Shoals to name a few. In addition, there are two very large schools just off Arbor Hill Road which adds to our safety concerns. A No Thru Large Truck Ordinance would help minimize the large and heavy truck traffic that our residents are now facing. However, thankfully an ordinance such as this would still allow all of the residents, farmers, and small businesses, etc. located on Arbor HIll Road to continue to receive their deliveries, etc. just as they currently do. This ordinance only applies to those large trucks traveling on Arbor Hill Road that are using it as a cut through to shave a little time and/or miles off of their trip.
Between the large soda & beer carrying trucks, large garbage trucks hauling to the Waste Management facility on East Cherokee (many are not local), construction trucks, etc. they are tearing up our quaint residential road and putting many of our loved ones lives in jeopardy.
A "No Thru Large Truck" Ordinance Is Desperately Needed for Arbor Hill Road
Several months ago the Cherokee County Georgia County Commissioners voted to not fully implement a large truck ordinance for Union Hill Road which would have helped solve the large truck traffic on Arbor Hill Road as well since Arbor HIll dead ends into Union Hill. Instead, they voted to only stop large trucks at the intersection of Arbor Hill and Union Road. In doing so, all of the Union Hill large truck traffic now diverts to Arbor Hill Road. So, essentially they voted “Yes” on making these roads an acceptable large truck route. What's worse is that during the meeting held in March, they acknowledge these roads were not designed to handle these trucks.
Arbor Hill Road needs a No Thru Large Truck traffic ordinance put in place ASAP! These large trucks put the lives of our community residents at risk daily. It's completely irresponsible of our commissioners to vote against this! Arbor Hill Road is obviously a residential road with many twists and turns, blind hills and blind driveways, etc. In the summer, there are joggers, and many bicyclers, young drivers, etc.. on this road. Traffic is only increasing and the large trucks are too, especially since the county closed down access for these large trucks on East Cherokee Drive.
We realize that this ordinance will not stop all of the large trucks, but it would serve as a big deterrent. For example, if we had only ten large trucks a day traveling on Arbor Hill Road and a No Thru Truck Ordinance cuts the large truck traffic in half, that’s a 50% better chance a loved one won’t get killed by one. Common sense tells us if a highly traveled residential road was not made for big trucks in the first place and residents are complaining and concerned about their safety, then shouldn’t the Commissioner's side with the residents over a few large truck drivers being inconvenienced for having to travel a few extra miles ? We are asking all of our County Commissioners, how many inconvenient miles is a life worth? Please don't wait until it's too late.
Using the link provided below, please refer to the meeting video titled “March 17th, 2020 - Regular Meeting” that was broadcasted on 3/17/20 5:57pm - 8:24pm.
(The vote discussion begins around the 1 hour and 44 minute mark of the posted video)