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Photo: Truck accident on Elm

By Howard B. Owens

img_0545.jpg

Photo by Jim Burns.

Shortly after 4 p.m., this semi-truck on Elm Street, near Main Street, took out phone and cable lines.

jeff saquella

what is this big truck even doing on this small street anyway?....and while we're on the subject.....just waiting for a nasty accident with these big boys. I have witnessed many times these big rigs trying to beat a red light and a couple times been damn close to a collision. just a matter of time unless this city does something to reduce the truck traffic.

Apr 21, 2016, 10:35pm Permalink
Ricky G. Hale

Until you see a Rt.63 by-pass around Batavia, you're never going see reduced truck traffic through the City. They come off 490, and use Rt. 63 as a short-cut to Buffalo, instead of the Thru-way. It will never end. I live in East Bethany, right on 63. Some days, I can't even get out of my driveway. Its truck after truck after truck.

Apr 22, 2016, 9:45am Permalink
John Roach

Jeff, the truck was probably making a delivery or picking something up. That street is not a shortcut to anyplace.
And there is nothing the City can do to limit truck traffic on State highways (Routes 5, 63, 98 and 33). Every time the State raises Thruway rates, more trucks go through Batavia to save money.

Apr 22, 2016, 10:53am Permalink
Debra Nanni

This happened almost right in front of my house. I wondered the same thing Jeff , what on earth is this truck doing on this narrow little street. He was not making a pickup or delivery, there are NO businesses on that street except for 7-11 which is actually on Main and all of the other delivery trucks use Rt 5 for that. When he left, he had to drive over lawns leaving Elm street because he could not make it past the cars who were LEGALLY parked there. He also clipped the cables in front of my house leaving. Not a good place for a truck that size.

Apr 22, 2016, 12:12pm Permalink
jeff saquella

we do need a bypass around batavia ricky.....it will probably take someone getting killed before they would even consider it.....either that or get rid of thruway tolls ...you know like the plan was 30 years ago?

Apr 22, 2016, 12:58pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

When all trucks are driverless, they'll probably mostly travel at night when there's less traffic, increasing speed and efficiency. Probably in five or 10 years.

And even if they ship during the day, they aren't as likely to go down odd, unexpected side trips.

Apr 22, 2016, 2:51pm Permalink

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