One local problem aired at Wednesday
’s City Council meeting was finding ways to slow traffic as it
roars through downtown and make drivers aware of pedestrian
crosswalks.
One local problem aired at Wednesday’s City Council meeting was finding ways to slow traffic as it roars through downtown and make drivers aware of pedestrian crosswalks.
This is a big issue for downtown business owners and council went through a list of ways to “calm” traffic, with associated costs. While they didn’t decide anything, they asked staff to collect council thoughts and return with a preferred list and costs on Jan. 26. Some $125,000 is available from Redevelopment Agency funds to calm downtown traffic.
All five councilmen favored narrowing the existing lanes from 12-feet to 10.5-feet, keeping two lanes each way, at a cost of $15,000. High visibility crosswalks – bright, white stripes – at First and Third streets and Monterey would get drivers’ attention and help them to slow down and give pedestrians a chance to make it across the street in one piece. $10,000.
Downtown business owners and city officials differ over whether traffic actually speeds through town, the former saying it does and officials, no. But Chief of Police Bruce Cumming and Public Works Director Jim Ashcraft experimented crossing at First and Third.
“We don’t think speeding, in general, is a big problem downtown,” Cumming said, “but there is certainly a problem getting drivers to stop for pedestrians. If we had waited we could have found a gap. When you mix aggressive drivers and aggressive pedestrians, you have a problem.”
Pedestrians need to watch traffic carefully before crossing, he said.
Temporary rubber speed cushions at a cost of $25,000 could be installed at First and Third streets, slowing down drivers but not police cars, fire engines or school buses, all of which have a wheel base that stretches beyond the 6-foot cushion width.
Getting less than a majority was installing trees in the empty median at Fourth Street (also $25,000), imbedded flashing pavement lights – that seem to be more visible at night – ($100,000) and putting planters or bollards in front of the community center, narrowing the entrance to downtown for $75,000 or less.
An overhead “entry statement” – a place to hang banners – was popular with the Downtown Association. Anything to announce that a driver is entering a special place and should slow down, said Ashcraft.
“We want people to realize downtown is a different environment,” Ashcraft said.
Two “radar speed signs” will be installed when money from a grant to make walking to Britton Middle School safer is used.
No longer on the table is a plan to reduce Monterey Road to one lane each way between Dunne and Main avenues. While popular with some downtown business owners, the idea was not a hit with the general public who talk to the council.
Carol Holzgrafe covers City Hall for The Times. She can be reached by e-mail at ch********@mo*************.com or phoning (408) 779-4106 Ext. 206
