Spring Break
City votes against immediate action on Main Street
Council decision delayed for negotiation, research
Jerica Harvey
Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: News
Whitewater Common Council voted against a proposal to immediately post stop signs at the Whiton and Main intersection Tuesday while the city installs permanent stoplights.
Councilmember-at-Large Jim Stewart made the motion with added stipulations of a pedestrian barrier along the sidewalk bordering the campus, and turning Cottage Street into a one-way street to lessen traffic.
"I really think we need to make drivers stop at the intersection but I don't like the amount of time it could take," Stewart said during the meeting. "I think we could do a combination and plan to have permanent lights installed with a temporary stop light or stop sign in the meantime."
President Patrick Singer seconded the motion, but it failed with Stewart being the only councilmember to vote in favor.
"We should act on this as soon as humanly possible but I'm uncomfortable making a decision before I talk to my constituents and fellow students," Councilmen Max Taylor said.
Other reasons for members voting down the proposal were the expensive cost and uncertainty of the effects.
"I don't think we should rush to a judgment in terms of signage and the amount of money involved with the traffic flow of a major artery on Main Street," Councilmen Lynn Binnie said. "The police reports say that over three years, all pedestrian accidents were actually at lighted intersections."
He said drivers and pedestrians might just be getting used to and aware of the trombone arms that were installed last summer, and could become more efficient.
Mark Fischer and Luke Holman of Strand and Associates, Inc. studied the intersection and presented possible solutions to the Council before the proposal was made.
Their suggestions included making the intersection into a 4-way stop, giving pedestrians breaks to cross in between cars; in-pavement lights; a raised median for pedestrians to walk in; a more prominent pedestrian light that would also turn red, signaling cars to stop instead of yield; pedestrian barriers that would limit where crossings could be made, or an overpass to completely separate drivers and walkers but at the most cost and longest construction time.
The Council decided to discuss what options the University would favor and what financial involvement it would be willing to have in the intersection revamp and study the effects of each option before the Oct. 7 meeting, when the council intends on making a decision.
Councilmember-at-Large Jim Stewart made the motion with added stipulations of a pedestrian barrier along the sidewalk bordering the campus, and turning Cottage Street into a one-way street to lessen traffic.
"I really think we need to make drivers stop at the intersection but I don't like the amount of time it could take," Stewart said during the meeting. "I think we could do a combination and plan to have permanent lights installed with a temporary stop light or stop sign in the meantime."
President Patrick Singer seconded the motion, but it failed with Stewart being the only councilmember to vote in favor.
"We should act on this as soon as humanly possible but I'm uncomfortable making a decision before I talk to my constituents and fellow students," Councilmen Max Taylor said.
Other reasons for members voting down the proposal were the expensive cost and uncertainty of the effects.
"I don't think we should rush to a judgment in terms of signage and the amount of money involved with the traffic flow of a major artery on Main Street," Councilmen Lynn Binnie said. "The police reports say that over three years, all pedestrian accidents were actually at lighted intersections."
He said drivers and pedestrians might just be getting used to and aware of the trombone arms that were installed last summer, and could become more efficient.
Mark Fischer and Luke Holman of Strand and Associates, Inc. studied the intersection and presented possible solutions to the Council before the proposal was made.
Their suggestions included making the intersection into a 4-way stop, giving pedestrians breaks to cross in between cars; in-pavement lights; a raised median for pedestrians to walk in; a more prominent pedestrian light that would also turn red, signaling cars to stop instead of yield; pedestrian barriers that would limit where crossings could be made, or an overpass to completely separate drivers and walkers but at the most cost and longest construction time.
The Council decided to discuss what options the University would favor and what financial involvement it would be willing to have in the intersection revamp and study the effects of each option before the Oct. 7 meeting, when the council intends on making a decision.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Jim
posted 9/22/08 @ 10:05 PM CST
Once again, government makes a decision without the proper study (the "trombones"). All of a sudden they realize they made a bad decision. The trombones are worthless and now we need traffic lights. (Continued…)
Scott Hubanks
posted 9/23/08 @ 2:20 AM CST
I can't believe that these tight-wadded jerks are denying a legitimate saftey concern because it costs too much. This is absolutely reprehensible and shows the general scorn that the common council has traditionally shown towards students. (Continued…)
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