Topeka residents raise concerns over controversial truck stop proposal

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Some local residents are taking their concerns to the Topeka City Council this week as they oppose a plan to build a truck stop near their neighborhood.

Neighbors in the area are not on board with this plan to build a truck stop at 605 Southwest Fairlawn Road. They say this is already a busy street, and the addition of a fueling station would bring even more traffic to the area. 

With all the parks and attractions located in west Topeka and nearby schools, some say increased traffic will make it unsafe. 27 News spoke to a lifelong Topeka resident and local realtor about his thoughts on this new addition. 

“We’re not against truck stops,” Bill Welch said. “I mean, we feel like we’ve got quite a few of them nearby. We have Loves right over here off of 75. We’ve got the Maple Hill truck stop just a little ways further west down the road. A lot of people have voiced better locations might be south Topeka Boulevard, south of town. Something like that could be used out there, or even further west of town, near Auburn Road and I-70 would be a good location for something like that, away from residential areas and our great parks here that attract so many people.” 

The Topeka City Council will be voting on this new addition on July 1. Many locals are expected to appear as well to voice concerns over the proposal.

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