Residents complain of heavy truck traffic; council lowers park-area speed limit to 15 mph

A string of public comments over truck routing and safety prompted the Mount Pleasant City Council to change speed limits and order signs for streets around City Park.

A resident (identified in the minutes as S3) told the council heavy trucks from a nearby gravel pit are routed past her RV park and “"it's not wide enough even for 2 cars, let alone a semi truck,"” and said drivers routinely run the stop sign and do not stop for pedestrians. Shirley Cox, who identified herself during public comment, said trucks arrive "every 5 minutes," vibrate trailers and make playground and school crossings unsafe.

Council members responded that the gravel pit is county-permitted, limiting the city's direct authority, but said several mitigations were available. The council debated asking county commissioners to require an alternate access road and considered short-term enforcement, signage changes and speed reductions to protect park users.

After discussion the council voted to change the speed limit from Highway 89 around City Park (including State Street and the loop to Second/Lehi) to 15 miles per hour and directed staff to order signage and coordinate next steps. The motion as made on the floor specified the area to be reduced to 15 mph and included a second that carried in roll call.

Mayor/Chair (S1) said the city will avoid routing trucks between the rodeo grounds and the playground and will work with county staff and local businesses on longer-term access solutions.

The action follows residents’ repeated requests that either the county provide an alternate pit access or the city reduce speed and increase enforcement; council members also suggested education and employer-driven discipline for drivers. No formal county action was taken at the meeting; council members encouraged residents to bring matters to the county when appropriate.

The council’s directive was limited to the city’s speed restrictions and signage; any routing or permit changes at the gravel pit remain under county purview.