Props to WSOC's Joe Bruno for noticing that Charlotte City Council has plans to discuss illegal truck parking at its annual retreat this month.
Councilmembers say they have seen an increase in complaints about trucks illegally parking on ramps and streets, particularly in Districts 2 and 4.
CP Post from Mid-December regarding the same is here.
“It is very annoying and just so unattractive,” Antoinette Mingo, a District 4 resident, said.
Antoinette Mingo says she is fed up with trucks parking on the side of streets and ramps and not just because they are unappealing, but also because of safety.
“The trucks are no tiny vehicles. Those are huge vehicles,” she said. “It is a safety issue.”
The city thinks so, as well. Councilmembers Renee Johnson and Malcolm Graham have been leading voices on the issue.
“We have to address this. Our residents have to know we are addressing semi-truck parking, grass and litter issues, specifically in District 4,” Johnson said. “We have a huge, huge problem in the city.”
“I think it is an immediate concern,” Graham said.
The city identified seven areas as problem spots where tractor-trailers are frequently found including on ramps to Interstate 485 in the University area, the Interstate 85 Connector and West Sugar Creek north of West W.T. Harris Boulevard.
According to Housing and Neighborhood Services, code violations have jumped from under 300 in 2019 to 830 in 2022. According to HNS, Code Enforcement does not have the authority to tow and a citation can only be issued if a previous notice of violation has been issued. Staff members are canvassing in the areas of concern at least two days a week.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department did not respond to a request for comment on this story.
According to HNS, CMPD has been issuing parking citations, but the fine is only $25 and has “had little effect on the situation.” HNS says potential solutions include educational campaigns, no parking signs and making it easier to report violations.
Mayor Vi Lyles says the issue mainly stems from drivers having to pull over after hitting a certain number of hours on the road.
Mingo wishes they would park at rest areas or designated locations. She’s glad the city is looking for solutions.
“I am saying it is a city, a county and state problem because they should be working together for their constituents,” she said.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation says trucks are not allowed to park on ramps and posting no-parking signs are not required by law.
The transportation department says truck parking on ramps has become an ongoing maintenance expense due to the degradation of pavement. NCDOT says there also may be drop-offs from the edge of the pavement to the shoulder.
According to NCDOT, unless a truck is disabled or directed by law enforcement, it should not be parked on a ramp at any time.
Charlotte City Council member Ed Driggs, the long serving "Potted Plant" hasn't responded to email requests regarding the continuing hazard.
As Joe Bruno's story points out it is not just 485 and Rea Road, West Blvd on Ramp, Wilkinson near the Amazon Wearhouse and several locations on the east side of 485.
Driver's say that they hate rest areas and Flying "J" and Pilot truck stops are often full and charge a fee.to park usually 12 to 18 dollars in the Southeast. Both Rea and West Blvd. are low volume ramps during the small hours of the night and that also makes them attractive.
While CLT Council member Driggs is unresponsive NC DOT was quick to point out that the problem is the North Carolina SHP's responsibility:
Because these tractor trailers are not construction vehicles as part of the (485 Toll Road) project, we do not have the authority to remove them from the shoulder. However, I have contacted the NC highway patrol and they are able to police that from happening. Hopefully they will stay on top of it. If you have any more comments or questions, please do not hesitate to respond.
Thanks,
Brian Davis
Resident Engineer
NC DOT in this regard has been surprisingly efficient, at least in a response. CP suspects that if left to CLTCC they will treat it as they do the panhandlers, that is do nothing.
Look, im just trying to be realistic. Do you honestly think with violent crime like it is that anyone especially the NCHP with it's two troopers at any given time is gonna take time to cite these truckers?? The fine is slightly more than the fee to park at these so called designated spots so it is cheaper to0 roll the dice.
ReplyDeleteThis shit is out of control all over the freeway. We are too busy with DVs and shootings. Cops are getting tired of being tired. Maybe the brass should issue some citations?
ReplyDeleteI think putting command on traffic duty is absolutely perfect solution.
ReplyDeleteWhat is more unattractive; litter everywhere, potholes, dead bodies, etc…or trucks parked on the ramp shoulders?
ReplyDeleteSo truckers are stopping to get some zzz’s while delivering that shit some “have” to get in two days or less. This is what you are spending time on? We’ve got violent crime out the ass and we need to be concerned about some fucking trucks on the off ramp? Sorry, I get it’s illegal and shot but damn…bigger fish.
ReplyDeleteY’all trying to take Tammy’s livelihood here. If they stop parking there, I’m going to put some cones out at 4 Mile Greenway and let them park 2 at a time there. Easy walk for her from our apartment. There’s plenty of room once you move the Priuses out of the way.
ReplyDeleteThere are always the “yeah but” and “bigger issues” crowd and that’s understandable obviously a shooting is a bigger concern than 18 wheelers parked illegally. However this is how we got here law enforcement didn’t tow and impound the first guy who parked there because there are bigger fish to fry now we have 7 trucks parked on that ramp. Same with pot holes if the state doesn’t fix a pot hole before too long the road is filled with pot holes and this sort of neglect leads to a bridge collapse and a few dozen deaths. And it’s that sort of wake up call that reminds us we need to pay attention to the little things as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for supporting truckers and Tammy, but this is just another sign that local, state and federal governments are not up to the task of keeping order.
ReplyDeleteBack off the local cops. We got shit to do.
ReplyDeleteThis post is a yawn fest. It’s hard to find many exit ramps out on ramps for that matter they don’t have trucks. I’ve never seen any that were a so called safety concern. How about the post comparing the trucks with potholes, bridge collapse and certain death…LMAO!! It sure sounds like some of you south side pinkey-out tea drinkers need to take a good look at what’s going on around you.
ReplyDelete