Economics Example right-aligned image

The economic rational for the Project is based on the Gallo Report, which was not a statistically valid survey. Read Gallo Report

For this survey, there were:

•19 respondents in two counties, Humboldt and Del Norte.
•Surveyed businesses represent only:

Will increasing truck traffic through Eureka improve our economy?

According to Cambridge Systems, constraints on economic development include:

 “Traffic congestion on U.S. 101 in Eureka’s  commercial and retail areas due to heavy overlapping uses for trucking, through traffic, and local traffic.”

The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, Oversight Hearing on Truck Weights and Lengths testified that ...
"the optimal balance between the special interests that want a never-ending cycle of increased truck size and weight and the public interest in safety and infrastructure protection and restoration has already been reached and, indeed, surpassed. Further increases will only make the situation on our roads more unsafe with greater economic burdens and lethal consequences for road users and taxpayers" Read more excerpts or view full report.

"Increases in truck sizes and weights impact negatively on the structural life and geometric adequacy of the present road network. All highway users will experience reduced service levels, delays, increased vehicle wear and operation costs, and reduced safety. These negative impacts must be balanced against productivity gains and reduced commodity costs." The American Society of Civil Engineers, 2006 report:

Will we really pay less for goods when they are delivered in larger trucks? If we have cheaper goods, will these savings be offset my the extra burden on our roads, negative effects of congestion, and decreased safety?

 

Links to Big Box Stores ?

While some deny link between full access for STAA trucks and Big Box development, a Del Norte County report acknowledges the connection:

“Home Depot opened a store in Crescent City in 2006 – along with Wal-Mart, the only “big box” store in the county – but its trucks must re-load their cargo in Oregon from 70- to 45-foot trailers prior to traveling through Del Norte County.”
Del Norte County Goods Movement Action Plan 2007

Del Norte news reported: “The report details how various industries are affected by the lack of a full-fledged truck route. Companies like Wal-Mart, Home Depot,  Safeway Food and Drug and Ray's Food Place  have to reload in Grants Pass. Highway 199 limitations prevent other large companies from setting up shop here.”

Del Norte Triplicate 2/15/08

 

"The quantitative impact of the STAA truck restriction on Highway 101 at Richardson Grove on industry sales is particularly difficult to estimate..." Gallo Report, 2008.