Residents of the Zastantsionny microdistrict in Kokshetau have filed an official petition with the city mayor, demanding immediate restrictions on transit heavy truck traffic through their residential area, which they say has turned into a dangerous and noisy highway, reports infohub.kz.
The petition is posted on the official ePetition.kz platform. As of publication, the document has been viewed over 1,400 times, and signatures are still being collected.
The authors of the appeal note that the streets of the microdistrict are categorically unsuitable for the daily flow of trucks, dump trucks, and heavy machinery. According to them, trucks speed through the streets, and due to the lack of speed bumps, traffic lights, and pedestrian crossings, schoolchildren are exposed to mortal danger every day. Additionally, heavy vehicles depress the asphalt, leaving deep ruts, and constant vibration causes cracks in the foundations and walls of private homes.
In their appeal, Kokshetau residents demand the installation of road signs that completely block entry and transit of heavy trucks through the residential zone of Zastantsionny. They also believe it is necessary to apply road markings, install "Pedestrian Crossing" signs, and place artificial road bumps. The authors also consider it necessary to develop a project and build a full-fledged bypass road for heavy trucks around the residential area.
"We ask you not to wait for a tragedy on the road! Take measures to restrict truck traffic right now," the residents urge the Kokshetau akimat.
The problem of heavy machinery moving through residential areas is relevant across Kazakhstan. The country's largest cities have already taken strict measures to protect infrastructure and the environment: in Astana, transit trucks are allowed only on the bypass road, with entry into inner city areas completely banned; in Almaty, restrictions apply to vehicles with an axle load exceeding 8 tons within the key highway square (Saina – al-Farabi – VOAD – Ryskulova) daily from 7:00 to 22:00.
Heavy machinery creates a destructive load on city roads, causes vibration damage to buildings, and increases braking distance in emergency situations. Residents of Zastantsionny hope that Kokshetau authorities will consistently apply the experience of megacities and protect the residential area.