I propose that our neighborhood association should discuss the possibility of working (lobbying out city council member, etc.) towards a city ordinance that would ban all heavy trucks using the West St Catherine Exit on I-65. This creates both air and noise pollution for our neighborhood, not too mention the hazardous materials that are often carried in these trucks through our streets. WSC street is commonly a site of accidents, at the corner of 4th, 2nd, 3rd, and others. This kind of ordinance is common for many other neighborhoods, including Takoma Park, MD (and its twin suburb of Takoma, DC). I think this would make our street and Old Louisville a much nicer place to live, with less exhaust, noise, and traffic.

Absolutely--and financial impact

The city insisted, when it built the 9th Street extension, that truck traffic through Old Louisville to near-west end industrial sites would be diminished, once it was completed. The problem is, St. Catherine is still considered an ''artery'' from the interstate--and trucks can't be barred from an ''artery''--even though St. Catherine now ends at 8th St. How can you have a 7-block artery?
The problem with these truckers barreling through our neighborhood, trying to beat the lights, isn't just noise and air pollution. The banging and bouncing of these monsters on our streets cracks water and sewer lines (how many homes have had new water lines installed, recently?), cracks the ornamental stone on our exteriors and cracks the plaster on our interior walls. Prospective home-buyers are put off by the noise and the seismic bouncing, if they're in the neighborhood during peak hours. It truly does have a real financial impact on our lives. What we need to do is convince the city to enforce its own promises, about what the Ninth Street Extension was supposed to offer us.

So where do we go from here?

Thanks for the insight Jon. I am a new resident of Old Louisville; just moved in this past March. Do you (or anyone else) have a suggestion on how to proceed? Obviously we need to work thourgh our council member, but what else? I would be glad to write a letter or schedule a meeting - all I need to know is where to direct my energy. :) Plus, a few other supporters from the association would be nice...

OLNC Meetings

Dear Jessica-

You've just expressed a major concern that is shared by many of your neighbors throughout the historic Old Louisville/Limerick districts. Considering the scope of the problem, my suggestion would be to attend the Property Improvement Committee (a subcomittee of the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council -- known as PIC). Herb Fink chairs the PIC meetings, which are are always well attended - you're certain to find others there who'll be willing to take up the fight to rid our historic district of semi tractor trailers driving on our residential streets. I, for one, will be happy to go to a PIC meeting with you!

Thanks for getting involved, and I'll see you soon.
Rhonda