(3/21) Residents asked the Town Council for aid in slowing traffic down on Glade Boulevard between Crum Road and Chapal Place at the March meeting. This is not the first time residents have expressed concern over the speed of vehicles on this stretch of Glade Blvd.
Residents, represented by neighbor Austin Nelson, asked the Town to install a three-way stop with pedestrian crosswalks at Glade Boulevard and Wyndale Drive. Nelson read a petition that included three pages of signatures from residents agreeing with the request to install the safety measures. The petition claimed that past efforts, such as speed cameras, were found ineffective in decreasing speeding. The Town Engineer previously determined that speed bumps would not work in the area due to the curvy nature of the road.
The petition included letters written by residents describing their personal experiences with drivers speeding down the Boulevard. Nelson shared stories that ranged from elderly residents afraid to cross the street to get their mail, to parked cars being hit by distracted drivers. "What kind of accident will have to happen in order for a change to be made," asked one of Nelson’s neighbors.
Nelson said the intersection of Wyndale Drive and Glade Blvd would be an effective location because not only is it a common school bus stop where children cross, but there is also a daycare, so the added safety measures would be beneficial. Nelson noted that cars commonly fail to stop for the school bus, creating an extremely dangerous situation.
Nelson further explained that the road is a common "cut-through" for people trying to get to the nearby Safeway, as well as to 194. By placing stop signs at this specific location, the 800-foot-long section of road from Crum Road to Chapel Place would be almost cut in half.
Commissioner Chris Ragen, who lives on Challedon Drive, which is not far from the intersection being discussed, said he thinks the number of speed violators was significantly understated. "I can only speak from my own experience," he said. "I live at the bottom of the hill on Challedon, and I think you are underselling the number of people coming through. I think most are not going to Safeway, but straight through to 194 to avoid going through Town. I can tell you, they speed very badly through Challedon."
In order for the Town to put in the requested crosswalks, they will also be required to install ADAs, which make the crosswalks accessible for those with disabilities. These include curb ramps, visual and audible cues for those affected by impairments, push buttons and clear markings, as well as other key requirements.
According to the Director of Public Works, Joseph Birch, each ADA will cost approximately $3,000 to $5,000 dollars and they will need three to cover each crossing. The Council also discussed adding "mid-block pedestrian crossing" signs, which are placed in the middle of the crossing, to help alert motorists to the upcoming crossing.
After discussion, Council decided the funds could be pulled from the Street and Sidewalk Budget and they approved the addition of the stop signs and pedestrian crossing unanimously.
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