Agenda - Council - 12/09/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Steve Jankowski From: Randy Backous [rbackousQcretexinc.corn] S®nt: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 3;58 PM To; Steve Jankowski Gc; djeffreyt~djeffrey.com; David Elvig; Matt Look; Mary Jo Qison Subject: Nave 18 Public Worka Committee -TH47 and 142nd Avenue Mr. Jankowski: l'm writing to voice my opinions and concerns regarding the discussions you will behaving at the Publlc Works Committee meeting this evening around the potential cbsure of 142"d Avenue and TM 47, i was planning to attend-but unfortunately it is not possible. If it is not too late, please add this to your materials far consideration at your meeting. There are really two main issues with traffic in this area and I appreciate your workload so I will try to be concise. Issue 1: Hazardous Intersection All of us should know by now thatthe•intersection of TN47 and 142nd Ave is dangerous. There have been numerous accidents and at least two fatalities. 1 don't know what the reporting lag or criteria are, but for the record,. it's my opinion that accident statistics presented at a recent Public Works Committee meeting are understated. My opinion is based only on direct observation as a resident with a view of the intersection for 20 years. J To their credit, the County attempted to address the issue by controlling the traffic with a 3/ turn median which is designed tv prevent east west travel across TH47,. However, the change had unintended consequences because vehicles in-the northbound and southbound turn lanes now Mind each other to oncoming traffic -effectively making the intersection euen mare dangerous. Furthermore, the % median control Is easily circumvented which can be observed many times throughout the day. There are three solutions to this issue: 1. Traffic. light controls - (]f course this option is not practical due to the lights at both County Road 5 and County Road 116 and the volume moving through those intersections. 2. Close the median to turns at 142"d- I understand that this is not controlled by the City, it would cut off access to businesses on TH47 and it would not solve issue #2 below. 3. Keep the median open,-but close 142"d just west of the service road to allow TH 47 access to the businesses- I was the first tv suggest this option at a Public Works meeting about 2 years ago and I still believe it is the only real solution to Cut down turning traffic and volume through the intersection while still allowing access to the businesses. Issue 2: Increased Cut•through Traffic Uur neighborhood is an island surrounded by major roadways -County Road 116 to the south, Dysprosium to the west, County Road 5 to the north and TH47 to the east. As the city continues to develop to the north, more and more people find their way through our neighborhood to avoid traffic lights. Closing 142"d just west of the service road would remove their reason to cut through and significantly reduce the volume of traffic and 142"d and TH47. -166-