"Thomas Jefferson said a democracy is dependent on an informed citizenry. I don't care whether it sounds corny or not.  It's the truth." -Jim Lehrer

Carefree Truth
Issue #983, January 17, 2022

This presentation was a continuation of the discussion that was begun at the Council meeting the previous week addressing improvements to the existing crosswalk between Ridgeview Place and Ho Road crossing Tom Darlington Drive.Mark Milstone did some additional research and came back to the Council with the results.  He had 3 different drawings from Rick Engineering that look at methods of improvement at this crosswalk.
 
The first consists of traffic paint striping, reflective chevron diagonals at 10"-12" intervals, and reflective carrots, both with dagmars (small raised traffic buttons in the stripes that create a rumble strip) facing traffic at approximately 3"-4" intervals on all new striping, a double sided rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB), and 2 small refuge islands.  The next alternative would include rubber curbing with striping on them, which is different than wheel stops, to narrow the lanes, and a refuge island with the rubber curbing and stone in the center.  The third alternative is a Redi Pave Modular Median, which is a large raised platform, to close off the traffic lanes.

All 3 of these options would include traffic paint striping, chevron diagonals at 10"-12" intervals, reflective carrots and dagmars facing traffic at approximately 3"-4" intervals on all new striping that narrows the traffic lanes, 2 single sided RRFBs and a double sided RRFB with beacons that can be seen from 1/2 mile away, pedestrian blinker signs to warn vehicles in advance that pedestrians are trying to cross, overhead lights on the crosswalk between dusk and dawn, and additional directional signs to designate the lanes being closed.

The first option would cost $16,350.  The second would cost $24,561.  The third would cost $74,670.  These are approximate costs because bids still need to be obtained from the manufacturers.  They also don't include sales tax or shipping & handling.  Mr. Milstone advised going with the first option because of both price and the fact that it would provide the needed safety features, as well as being easy and quick to construct.
 
Mayor Les Peterson reiterated that safety is the driving concern.  The Town doesn't want to put any of the residents at risk.  The Mayor asked if there was a difference in safety between options 1 & 2.  Mr. Milstone did not think there was.  Both do the same things.  He recommended that the dagmars be placed as close as possible so there couldn't be any cross-through movement.  If that is done, he had confidence that both 1 & 2 had equal safety impacts. 

The Mayor recollected that the cost for the original top end improvement for that crosswalk was $125,000, but part of the long-range financial plan included possible projects that would necessitate tearing out that crosswalk in the future.

Gary Neiss noted that anytime changes are made to the traffic travel lanes, there is resistance within the community.  With this option, it is easier to make changes based on input, rather than making changes to hard infrastructure such as concrete curbing, as the Town moves towards a permanent solution.  But this does make that crosswalk much safer.  At this time, there is approximately 75' of asphalt that a pedestrian has to cross with no area of refuge to wait for traffic to clear, which is the number 1 complaint heard from pedestrians trying to use this crosswalk.  They have been caught in the middle of the street in an unsafe position.
 
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer summed it up by saying that the economic development plan includes items like parking on Tom Darlington Drive, and that this crosswalk plan provides the needed safety features for now, but further crosswalk improvements are planned in the future.  Mr. Milstone replied, "Well said, Councilwoman Kroyer."
 
Vice Mayor John Crane asked where the island refuges would be located.  Mr. Milstone explained that the refuges would be on the crosswalk in front of the carrot and the chevron, with dagmars on each side of the refuges, so pedestrians would have 2 places to wait if needed.  He also noted that the bike lanes would not be impacted by the changes in the traffic lanes.

The Vice Mayor asked how high the lights over the crosswalk at night would be.  Mr. Milstone clarified that the lights would only come on if a pedestrian pushed the button to cross.  They would not be on constantly but they would be activated from dusk to dawn for use when required.  The lights would be on the posts that are 12' high, just below the solar panel, and are solar powered.  They would be directed onto the crosswalk.
 
Vice Mayor Crane pointed out that if the residents are not satisfied with Option number 1, the money spent on the dagmars and striping will not all have been wasted, since they are also called for in Option number 2.  Mr. Milstone agreed.
 
Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked if the light was diffuse or if it was more focused on the crosswalk.  He felt a more focused light would better alert drivers.  Mr. Milstone replied that they are circular lights that light the areas beyond.  He liked the idea of illuminating just the crosswalk, but that is not feasible unless the posts were moved to the middle of the crosswalk and shined perpendicular towards it.  He was not familiar with a system that would do that, but he did believe that having over-lighting was important to give vehicles a better visual of not only what's happening in the crosswalk, but also exterior to the crosswalk.
 
Mayor Peterson asked what the lag time was between the  system activation in Options 1 & 2.  Mr. Milstone replied that the activation is immediate as soon as the button is pushed.  The Mayor clarified that he was asking how long it would take to complete Option 1 vs. Option 2, once construction began.  Mr. Milstone explained that currently, due to supply chain issues, the RRFBs are about 15 weeks out but the supplier might be able to knock that down to 12 weeks.  The traffic work on the pavement could be done soon, and the existing signs and lighting could be used until the others become available.  Once an Option has been approved by the Council, Mr. Milstone planned to invite those residents using the crosswalk to a meeting to get their input, and some of those ideas might be added to the plans.  Even if a plan was approved that night, the start time would be a few weeks out, but he suggested purchasing the RRFBs immediately, to get that moving.

Councilwoman Kroyer asked if it would be done in stages, taking 3-4 months to complete.  Mr. Milstone said that was correct.  Councilman Mike Johnson asked, between Options 1 & 2, what component/s had the longest lead time.  Mr. Milstone said it was the RRFBs for both options.  Mayor Peterson reconfirmed that Mr. Milstone was recommending Option number 1 because the cost was lower than number 2, with no reduction in safety.  Mr. Milstone agreed.
 
The motion to approve Option number 1, to begin as soon as possible, and to do it in stages according to material availability, with a contingency of not more than $20,000, was unanimously approved.
 
https://vimeo.com/657677594
 
 
Lyn Hitchon
 
Prepared by Carefree Truth
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