Frustrated neighbors: Freight trucks need to find other routes
»Play Video
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Neighbors in North Portland are so sick of freight trucks rolling through Fessenden Street that they decided to take to the street Friday afternoon to tell drivers to find another route.
More than 30 protesters held signs at the intersection of North Fessenden and North Charleston. Some even stood in the road as trucks and other traffic passed.
Protesters are intent on getting City of Portland officials to stop the heavy trucks from cutting through and on adding pedestrian signals every few blocks.
"These guys are just trying to make a living just like everybody else and I don't blame them for that, but I think that we need to also be concerned about neighborhoods," said Andrew Shroyer, who brought his daughter Ella Pearl to the protest. Shroyer is concerned she and other kids her age could get hit while crossing the street.
Kelly Tadlock has the same concern.
"Me in the wheelchair, I don't cross as quickly as you might and I think that's the same with little kids and older people,” Tadlock said. “Traffic is like a highway out here, not like a residential street ... It just doesn't make it nice to live over here."
Neighbors met with employees from Portland's Bureau of Transportation two weeks ago in a mediation session. Another session is scheduled for later this month as PBOT says it is working with residents to come up with a plan.
The paper and markers they used to make those signs came from a truck. The toilet paper they use to wipe their pretentious asses was brought by a truck. Those drivers that they are screaming at have a terrible job, they are away from their families and homes for days and weeks at a time. If they don't like it, I say we see how long we survive without the truck drivers. They will run out of a lot of things very quickly. Cut them a break and learn to use a crosswalk. Signed, A truck driver's daughter
If you look at the map, North Fessenden seems to be the main route between the Port of Portland (the part with the ships, not the airport) and I-205/I-84 besides Columbia Blvd.  I suspect that the Port of Portland was already there when all these pedestrians bought in the area. The Port was created in 1891, after all. Â
FYI... Truck routes are designated for reasons... one reason being the height level of overhead wires.. and the other..clearance reasons..and width reasons. Some streets won't work for this..Turning radius is also a factor.. Using another side street could make for an accident... No matter what..IF YOU BOUGHT IT-A TRUCK BROUGHT IT!
Sorry the roads are built for vehicles. Not pedestrians.
City officials don't care about the people who live in neighborhoods the Pioneer Parkway roundabout is an excellent example. I've seen accidents, near misses, pedestrians being hurt trying to get through it and all the city talks about is how wonderful it is. Since that thing went in most people try to avoid it by going through the neighborhoods like Laura st or Hayden Bridge to avoid it. And it doesn't matter how much you complain nobody cares.
 @jsmith I can't believe people with educations designed and built roundabouts for Eugene and Springfield. And then people with educations gave it the go ahead. Eugene claims to be progressive. But everything they do is regressive.
@jsmith You got it! The West Eugene EmX will have all kinds of negative traffic impacts, but the City and LTD don't give a damn. It seems they want to create a hindrance to auto traffic, in hopes of forcing people to use public transit instead of driving. Forcing a culture never works!
Maybe there isn't another route available for the trucks to take. Did anyone ever think of that?
 @maggotbaby13 there are other routes available, did you bother to check
Unless/until Portland changes the law, those trucks have every right to be there... so get out of the road ya jerks!!
 @PleaseBeSmart There are other routes better suited to big trucks. How about we let then drive down your street ?
 @Mister X Ooh LaLa Btw, I used to live next to I-5, right near a curve and endless construction so I got to hear loud Jake brakes constantly. That was MY problem though. I chose to move there. And being away from traffic noise was a big concern when we chose our current home.
 @Mister X Ooh LaLa  @PleaseBeSmart If the routes were better suited the truckers would use them.
Â
 @Mister X Ooh LaLa I didn't say there weren't. They can petition the city like civil, respectful individuals instead of blocking traffic like they own the road.Â
how bout checking both ways before you cross? and not crossing when theres traffic...a truck or a prius. it doesnt matter your still smacked. use common sense people. quit crying so much over something so little