If you have any comments about the section of South Washington between 17th Ave S and 8th Ave N, including the underpass, they are having an open house to get feedback from the public. You can also submit written statements or comments by May 20th, addressed to
[email protected] with "Public Input Meeting" in the subject.
Full information is available at
http://www.theforksmpo.org/Pages/WashStreetCorridorStudy2.htmPersonally, I'm glad they are looking at ADA compliance for the sidewalks, which would mean a total rebuild of the sidewalk on the rail underpass, making it easier for the elderly or disabled to make that trek. It would also be good to see snow removal sooner than four days after a storm on that section, for those reasons again. I don't know what they plan to do about cyclists, but ideally they would either add a bicycle lane to the street in that section or make the approach to the sidewalk more accessible and less dangerous.
Farther south, all I know is that the sidewalks are pretty much crap unless you want to be almost IN traffic and subjected to crossings every ten feet. I'm glad I never needed to go down that section in a wheelchair.
Bigger pedestrian islands at the Washington/DeMers intersection would have a traffic-calming effect and make the crossings shorter, and would probably make people feel safer. If the "bike path" is going to cross (on the N side of DeMers), I think they should straighten it out and make the approach visible to drivers. The corner of the "bike path" (= sidewalk at this point) where it goes around the light pole from the N side of DeMers to the W side of Washington is far too narrow (for both pedestrians and cyclists) and potentially confusing for drivers (since many users of this path do not signal their intentions to turn). I think a cutoff into the railyard for those making that turn would be ideal.
Topic: MPO meeting about Washington Street corridor, Thu 05 May 2011 (Read 3413 times)
