Petition for Immediate Action on Reche Canyon Road

As a brain cancer patient, my ability to access prompt emergency medical care due to congestion on Reche Canyon Road is not just a concern—it’s a life-threatening situation. Like myself, many families are facing the horrifying reality of being stuck in gridlock traffic during critical medical emergencies. This is not just an inconvenience; it’s a reflection of neglect, putting lives at risk unnecessarily. The failure to address this issue could result in preventable tragedies.

Reche Canyon Road, a vital route for over 25,000 vehicles daily, is a two-lane, winding country road with no authorized passing—though drivers routinely ignore this restriction. A three-mile journey becomes an hour-long nightmare of traffic, yet this road has been continuously overlooked by those responsible for its maintenance. Despite the formation of a traffic coalition two years ago, the situation remains unchanged, and traffic congestion continues to worsen.

But the problems don’t stop at traffic. Crime rates in the area are steadily rising, and littering along the road is out of control—both signs of a general decline in public service. Additionally, Reche Canyon Road lies in a high-risk fire area, with few evacuation routes available. If a major fire were to break out, many of us, including the residents of the mobile home park and the children at the nearby elementary school, would be trapped with no means of escape. The only evacuation plan currently in place is the use of buses to evacuate over 800 children—an unrealistic solution, considering the traffic jam of buses and emergency vehicles that would prevent anyone from getting out or accessing the area for firefighting efforts.

This is a life-or-death situation that needs immediate attention. Reche Canyon Road is also home to wildlife, including a significant population of burros. Unfortunately, we lose a number of burros each year due to speeding motorists, adding another layer of tragedy to the road's neglect.

We demand immediate action from our local officials to address these critical issues, including:

• Improving traffic management and enforcement of speed limits to reduce accidents and fatalities
• Increasing law enforcement presence to enforce road safety, reduce crime, and ensure the safety of all road users
• Installing regular cleanup efforts to address litter and illegal dumping
• Ensuring that there are feasible evacuation routes in place for residents and emergency personnel, especially in the event of a wildfire
• Developing a comprehensive, realistic evacuation plan for all residents, including the 800 children at the nearby school and mobile home park residents
• Implementing wildlife protection measures to prevent further deaths of burros and other animals from speeding motorists

This is not just about traffic; it’s about the safety and well-being of everyone who lives, works, and travels through Reche Canyon. We urge our officials to prioritize our needs and take immediate action to improve the safety of this road. Join us in demanding the change we desperately need by signing this petition today.

Let’s ensure that urgent, life-saving measures are never the casualty of gridlock. Together, we can improve the safety and quality of life for all Reche Canyon Road users!