Oakwood Estates residents urge county to curb truck engine-brake noise

Residents of Oakwood Estates told the Grant County Board of Commissioners during public comment that heavy truck traffic on Highway 180 and the use of engine or compression brakes are degrading life in a quiet valley.

"Many trucks are using engine brake for the 0.5 mile as they descend from the hill on Market Street going west," said Jackie Burton, who said she counted 89 trucks on May 29 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., including a one‑hour peak of 29 trucks. Susan Holstrom and Marsha Sanders described being awakened before 5:30 a.m. and said the noise carries into homes and prevents residents from using their backyards. Sanders added that the lack of a turning lane into Oakwood Estates forces residents to pull off the road and creates safety risks.

Speakers asked the commission to consider an ordinance and signage that would prohibit engine‑brake use through residential sections of the county, and suggested reducing the speed limit from 55 mph to 45 mph on the two‑lane stretch from Market Street to the truck bypass. Commissioners acknowledged the complaints and discussed possible mitigations, including signage and checking whether a reduced speed limit could be implemented expediently.

The meeting record does not show an immediate policy change; commissioners requested staff follow up with maps and traffic data and to explore feasible next steps.