GALT, CA (MPG) - A group of Galt residents called on the city to close the connection between Stockton Boulevard and Adare Way, claiming the residential street has become dangerously congested with high-speed traffic since the opening of the nearby Walmart Supercenter.

Multiple residents voiced concerns at the Galt City Council’s Tuesday, April 15 meeting over safety hazards, increased noise and difficulty accessing their own driveways due to the increase in traffic. 

“It’s been nothing but an interstate coming through there,” said Rodney Pratton, a local resident. “When you’re getting 2,000 cars coming into your neighborhood, no one wants that. It’s a residential area.”

The Walmart, located just off Stockton Boulevard and Twin Cities Road, opened in 2014, and since then, residents say traffic patterns have dramatically shifted, turning Adare Way into an unintended thoroughfare.

Longtime resident Ruben Hyman, who has lived on Adare for 25 years, said he’s noticed a sharp increase in traffic, which he attributes to Walmart and the adjacent Tesla charging stations. He recalled a recent incident in which he was nearly hit by a speeding motorist exiting Stockton Boulevard onto Adare Way.

“It was stated or promised that that end would be closed, but I don’t know what happened,” Hyman said.

Other neighbors echoed his concerns. Manuel Ayala, who lives at the end of Adare Way, said drivers often use the street as a shortcut and regularly exceed the 25-mph speed limit. He said congestion is so bad, it’s often hard to back out of his driveway.

“My biggest concern is a high-speed vehicle failing to make the turn and crashing into my house,” Ayala said. “Even worse, one of my five brothers could be in the front yard when that happens.”

Ayala suggested the city turn the intersection into a cul-de-sac to prevent through traffic.

Resident Alice Lee proposed permanently closing the Adare entrance from Stockton Boulevard and constructing a roundabout at Adare Way and Fermoy Way to improve flow and discourage cut-through driving.

“These drivers are not slowing down,” Lee said. “Adare Way was not intended to be a major thoroughfare to get to a superstore like Walmart. It was meant to be a safe, closed-off court.”

According to City Manager Chris Erias, the issue has been placed on the May 20 City Council agenda. 

Erias said staff had previously been directed to investigate and will bring a formal recommendation to the council. 

It had also been discussed extensively at a previous date by the Galt Public Safety Committee. 

During council comments, Mayor Shawn Farmer expressed support for examining a broad range of solutions. 

“I would like to see any and all options we can do, from extreme to very little,” he said.

Council Member Bonnie Rodriguez, who lives near the area, suggested meeting with staff prior to the next council session. 

Rodriguez also asked whether the city could contact Google Maps to let the company know the street is not an appropriate route to Walmart.

“I do feel for those on Adare Way,” she said.