A year ago, several residents of the area along Meridian Street
expressed concerns at City Council meetings about traffic dangers
along the busy, four-lane thoroughfare. Now the city is devoting a
community meeting solely to the issue.
A year ago, several residents of the area along Meridian Street expressed concerns at City Council meetings about traffic dangers along the busy, four-lane thoroughfare. Now the city is devoting a community meeting solely to the issue.
The Council approved a contract last month for the Meridian Corridor Traffic Study. A meeting tonight at 7 p.m. in the Council chambers will allow citizens direct input to consultants working on the study.
“There’s been some accidents on the Meridian Street and some concern that the street needs to be modified,” City Engineer David Rubcic said.
Many residents of the Meridian Street corridor voiced concerns at a Nov. 19, 2001 City Council meeting for the safety of children walking to and from school along the busy street. The outcry was fueled by two accidents earlier that month that sent a total of six children to the hospital.
The grassroots effort to improve safety along the street ultimately resulted in the installation of a four-way stop at Meridian and Recht streets, the site of one of the accidents, and a 1,000-foot extension of the 25 mph speed limit on Meridian west of Marguerite Maze Middle School.
Two representatives from the transportation consulting firm Fehr and Peers will attend tonight’s meeting to answer questions and take comments for consideration.
“The meeting is an opportunity for citizens to voice concerns.” Rubcic said. “It’s their opportunity to list or describe near-misses.”
The projected cost for the consultants came to $7,500 at the time of the contract’s approval. Rubcic said their analysis will include field visits, collection of data and formulating ideas for fixing any potential problems.
Rubcic said people who cannot attend the meeting should e-mail him with questions or concerns. He plans to forward all comments to the consultants. His e-mail address is [email protected].
“The whole idea is to get the community to let us know their thoughts and participate,” Rubcic said.
