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Carefree Truth
Issue #940, August 9, 2021
Issue #940, August 9, 2021
A second amendment to the contract with Rick Engineering Company to add 2 additional intersection pedestrian crosswalks to the Crosswalk Improvement Project was presented by Town Engineer Mark Milstone. This amendment would include design, completion of plan specifications, and estimated cost.
Mr. Milstone spoke with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) about 4 weeks ago. He was told that MAG had changed its evaluation system and that they felt bad about denying Carefree's previous funding request. This made him feel hopeful that the requested funding would be approved this time. With that in mind, 2 new crosswalks were added to the project. These crosswalks would be located at Cave Creek Road & Tom Darlington Drive and at Cave Creek Road & Tranquil Trail. The one at Tranquil Trail would be more involved due to its location. It looks like a High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) system would be needed. There are a couple of them on Pima Road in Scottsdale. The additional crosswalks would cost $35,000.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher said that is quite a piece of equipment and he's seen one over by Kierland. He asked if that was something Carefree really needed, commenting that it is a pretty big piece of equipment to be out on our street. Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer said she had the same reaction, and asked if that many people even cross the street there. Councilman Vince D'Aliesio said his concern was for the seniors and the young people who live in the apartments across the street from Town Hall who cross the street without any form of safety in place.
Mr. Milstone explained that there is a long downgrade and the intersection is far enough away from the town center that the speed limit is still 35 mph there. Gary Neiss noted that the other systems they explored were off to the side of the street and trucks could block the lights. There is better visibility above the street. He emphasized that the Town is trying to make the crosswalks safe. They want to do it right. The arm going across will not be as long as the one at Kierland. Cave Creek Road has a median at that location and there would be a shorter mast on each side of the street.
Vice Mayor John Crane questioned the cost if the Town decided to install the HAWK system, saying he thought it was pretty expensive. Mr. Milstone replied that the current estimate is $200,000. Vice Mayor Crane noted that reducing some of the streets from 2 lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction in the future was being discussed. If the HAWK system was implemented prior to changing the number of lanes, does the Town have to start over? Does it telescope? Mr. Milstone replied that it is probably possible to design it to be easily retrofitted.
Mayor Les Peterson said he'd had the same concerns about the size and the magnitude of it, but when he watched the speeds of the cars on this road, he felt that Carefree needs something that really stands out, otherwise the residents are being endangered. Mr. Neiss agreed that you can't create "stealth crosswalks". They just don't work. They have to stand out for safety. People have to stop for the pedestrians.
Mr. Hatcher asked if the signals could be placed in the center median at that intersection and go out from there like a T. Mr. Milstone answered yes, that could be done with 2 poles in the median going out in each direction or with 2 systems, one on either side of the road. Either option would involve 2 poles.
The Mayor said that Vice Mayor Crane, Councilman D'Aliesio, Mr. Neiss and he had discussed how to increase Carefree's visibility at funding authorities so they will know when opportunities become available, and they will be known by these entities. As a small municipality, this makes sense.
Vice Mayor Crane noted that there would be 4 crosswalks at the intersection of Cave Creek Road and Tom Darlington Drive. Mr. Milstone said that was correct. At first, they were only looking at one on the west side, but very little equipment would be required at that location and it would be most efficient to have 4 at that location. The existing "pork chop" islands on the south side would have to be partially demolished to get pedestrians across. The Vice Mayor noted that there is already a 4 way stop there too.
The motion to approve the second amendment to the contract with Rick Engineering for an additional $35,000 was unanimously approved.
https://vimeo.com/583619584
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
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Mr. Milstone spoke with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) about 4 weeks ago. He was told that MAG had changed its evaluation system and that they felt bad about denying Carefree's previous funding request. This made him feel hopeful that the requested funding would be approved this time. With that in mind, 2 new crosswalks were added to the project. These crosswalks would be located at Cave Creek Road & Tom Darlington Drive and at Cave Creek Road & Tranquil Trail. The one at Tranquil Trail would be more involved due to its location. It looks like a High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) system would be needed. There are a couple of them on Pima Road in Scottsdale. The additional crosswalks would cost $35,000.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher said that is quite a piece of equipment and he's seen one over by Kierland. He asked if that was something Carefree really needed, commenting that it is a pretty big piece of equipment to be out on our street. Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer said she had the same reaction, and asked if that many people even cross the street there. Councilman Vince D'Aliesio said his concern was for the seniors and the young people who live in the apartments across the street from Town Hall who cross the street without any form of safety in place.
Mr. Milstone explained that there is a long downgrade and the intersection is far enough away from the town center that the speed limit is still 35 mph there. Gary Neiss noted that the other systems they explored were off to the side of the street and trucks could block the lights. There is better visibility above the street. He emphasized that the Town is trying to make the crosswalks safe. They want to do it right. The arm going across will not be as long as the one at Kierland. Cave Creek Road has a median at that location and there would be a shorter mast on each side of the street.
Vice Mayor John Crane questioned the cost if the Town decided to install the HAWK system, saying he thought it was pretty expensive. Mr. Milstone replied that the current estimate is $200,000. Vice Mayor Crane noted that reducing some of the streets from 2 lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction in the future was being discussed. If the HAWK system was implemented prior to changing the number of lanes, does the Town have to start over? Does it telescope? Mr. Milstone replied that it is probably possible to design it to be easily retrofitted.
Mayor Les Peterson said he'd had the same concerns about the size and the magnitude of it, but when he watched the speeds of the cars on this road, he felt that Carefree needs something that really stands out, otherwise the residents are being endangered. Mr. Neiss agreed that you can't create "stealth crosswalks". They just don't work. They have to stand out for safety. People have to stop for the pedestrians.
Mr. Hatcher asked if the signals could be placed in the center median at that intersection and go out from there like a T. Mr. Milstone answered yes, that could be done with 2 poles in the median going out in each direction or with 2 systems, one on either side of the road. Either option would involve 2 poles.
The Mayor said that Vice Mayor Crane, Councilman D'Aliesio, Mr. Neiss and he had discussed how to increase Carefree's visibility at funding authorities so they will know when opportunities become available, and they will be known by these entities. As a small municipality, this makes sense.
Vice Mayor Crane noted that there would be 4 crosswalks at the intersection of Cave Creek Road and Tom Darlington Drive. Mr. Milstone said that was correct. At first, they were only looking at one on the west side, but very little equipment would be required at that location and it would be most efficient to have 4 at that location. The existing "pork chop" islands on the south side would have to be partially demolished to get pedestrians across. The Vice Mayor noted that there is already a 4 way stop there too.
The motion to approve the second amendment to the contract with Rick Engineering for an additional $35,000 was unanimously approved.
https://vimeo.com/583619584
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.