Elk Grove Maverik Traffic Mitigation -'It Addresses The Traffic Concerns of That Area'
It will be a few years until we know if the mitigation efforts work for the Maverik truck fueling depot or are merely a bandage on a self-induced gaping head wound
Unless a California Environmental Quality Act lawsuit is filed by the group called Protect Elk Grove (PEG), Elk Grove will soon be home to a new branch of the Utah-based Maverik convenience store and truck fueling depot.
Even though PEG was criticized by Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and Councilman Kevin Spease, some residents expressed genuine concern about Elk Grove's most pressing and annoying attribute. That attribute that is common throughout the city is the increased traffic.
The fueling facility will increase heavy truck traffic at the Grant Line/Kammerer Road and Highway 99 interchange. Additionally, as she criticized PEG during the meeting, Mayor Singh-Allen acknowledged there were plans for more gas stations and development in the area.
Several speakers addressed the Mayor and City Council, stating that the already busy intersection area, which also serves as the entryway to the popular Sky River Casino, will be further congested by 18-wheel tractor-trailers using the Maverik as a fueling depot.
During the City Council's deliberation on the matter, Councilman Rod Brewer asked Development Services Manager Christopher Jordan to address specific concerns about traffic entering and exiting the Maverick fuel stop. Mr. Jordan, who was previously the city's Innovations Czar, speaking in a word salad of phrases, said there would be minimal effects.
Regarding the mitigation measures, Jordan said, "It addresses all the concerns of that area." Watch the video for Mr. Jordan's commentary.
Our crystal ball works probably as well as the city, so we will not know for several years whether the mitigation efforts work for the Maverik truck fueling depot or merely will be a bandage on a self-induced gaping head wound. Anyone who has driven Elk Grove roads in the last several years would be justified in their skepticism of claims from City Hall.
After all, these are the same people who claimed with a straight face that they could build and finance a first-in-30-years North American zoo that would have eventually cost $1 billion. We all know how that ended.
Regardless, it will be worthwhile to bookmark this video and review it in a few years. We will see if the mitigation efforts Mr. Jordan described were accurate or if it was City Hall double-talk to ensure the city gathers that all-important sales tax revenue.
