Amazon semi-trucks wreck cars, lawns in Pierce County city. What’s being done?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Amazon-branded semis drove through DuPont, damaging cars and lawns.
- At least seven cars were damaged and a yard sprinkler was run over.
- Wayfinding signs were added off Exit 118 and on Wilmington Road.
For about three weeks semi-trucks sporting the Amazon logo have been driving through a tight residential neighborhood in DuPont, getting stuck, hitting residents’ cars and driving up on their lawns.
Residents who spoke with The News Tribune on Monday said for weeks they reached out to city officials for answers and solutions to the problem, but hadn’t heard back. A couple of hours after The News Tribune inquired about the situation, the city published a press release clarifying that commercial vehicles were rerouted during a nearby road closure, and some GPS navigation systems still directed traffic away from Center Drive and onto residential streets.
Judy Norris said she’s watched big Amazon trucks drive through her narrow street and get stuck on the sharp curve along McDonald Avenue on their way to the Amazon Fulfillment Center at 2700 Center Drive. At least seven cars have been damaged as a result, including one that was totaled, Norris said. One of her neighbor’s yards was run over, damaging the sprinkler system, she said. Others have been awakened by DuPont police at 11 p.m. to move cars parked on the street, Norris said.
The city says from May 26 to June 4 Washington State Department of Transportation completed improvements to the roundabout and bridge at Exit 119 from Interstate 5.
“To facilitate this work at night, Exit 119 was temporarily closed and all traffic, including commercial and industrial vehicles, was rerouted,” per a statement shared Monday. “During the closure, the City temporarily waived the local ordinance restricting vehicles over 14,000 pounds on Center Drive to accommodate the approved detour route. The City also worked closely with local businesses to communicate construction impacts and provide information about the designated detour.”
During construction, “some GPS navigation systems directed truck traffic away from Center Drive and onto residential streets,” according to the city.
“Construction was completed on June 4th, and Exit 119 has since reopened and is fully operational. However, last week the City observed a recurrence of trucks’ GPS systems routing them into residential roads,” per the city’s statement. “City staff have been in daily communication with our industrial partners to ensure drivers are using the appropriate routes between the highway and local business destinations. In addition, the DuPont Police Department has been actively monitoring the situation and assisting in redirecting truck traffic away from residential neighborhoods when possible. Additionally, wayfinding signs have been added off Exit 118 and on Wilmington Road.”
City officials said they understand resident concerns “and appreciate your patience as we continue working with our business partners, transportation providers and navigation services to resolve it. The City remains committed to protecting neighborhood safety while supporting the transportation needs of our local businesses.”
In a statement sent to The News Tribune on Monday, Amazon spokesperson Austin Stowe said, “We appreciate the City of DuPont bringing this issue to our attention and apologize for the disruption it has caused some residents. With construction complete at the Steilacoom-DuPont exit, our routing system is directing drivers to use that exit to reach our fulfillment center. We’ll continue to work with city officials until all residents’ issues have been resolved.”
Stowe did not respond to a question from The News Tribune about whether Amazon would pay for damages incurred to residents’ cars and lawns as a result of their trucks.
Norris told The News Tribune on Tuesday that she hadn’t received a personal response from the city and thought its prepared statement was “bland” and “more of a risk-mitigation response.” She’s still concerned trucks will be routed down her street, which is near an elementary school and frequented by children on bikes.
Norris doesn’t blame the truck drivers for the problem — she’s seen their panicked faces as they realize the narrowness of her street. City officials are the ones who have been slow to react, despite resident calls and police reports, she said.
“We’ve been seeing them barreling down though here, and these are the semi trucks you see on I-5 — it’s unbelievable. The houses shake, and you know they’re coming,” Norris said Monday. “You expect the city to be able to handle a crisis, and this is, with property damage and little kids always riding bikes around here.”
