Avon Old Farms Inn target of truck ramp

Avon (WTNH) - The Avon Old Farms Inn is not only a historic landmark of Connecticut, it also marks the end of a runaway truck ramp, which has started to threaten its business.

The inn has been open for 251-years and has some amazing sights. It has sunny gardens out back, one of the state's oldest fire places and booths tucked between antique, hand-sewn beams. But it is the view out the back window that is the most startling. There's a concrete wall marking the end of a runaway truck ramp.

In July, of 2005, a dump truck lost its brakes coming down Avon Mountain killing four people. Two years later another truck and another brake failure. The state put in a runaway truck ramp, which the owner of the inn believes is safe, but when people see a giant concrete runaway ramp leading to his restaurant, he said it's running business away.

"The reality is that the perception is that it wouldn't hold a heavy truck coming down the mountain," said Shawn Daigle of Avon Old Farms Inn. "Another perception is that if there is a load on the ramp, that it will go over the ramp."

The Avon Old Farms Hotel, located across the street, say it is pretty much business as usual, status quo. But they say the truck ramp is on the other side of the road.

"We have lowered our prices on all our menus, we're bringing in live music, we have awesome chefs," said Daigle.

Even with all of the changes, changing the perception of a dangerous mountain will be the hardest barrier to overcome.

"It's still dangerous. I will look in my rear view mirror, coming down the mountain, and depending how big it is, I will let them go first often," said Avon resident Jim Hafford.