HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-22-17 Public Comment - L. Newman, UNA - UNA Annual Fall Meeting Follow-UpFrom:Tanya Andreasen
To:Agenda
Subject:FW: UNA Annual 2018 Fall Meeting Follow-Up
Date:Wednesday, November 22, 2017 9:31:04 AM
From: Larry Newman [mailto:lnewman1107@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2017 12:11 PM
To: Kathy Powell <unabzn@gmail.com>
Cc: Tanya Andreasen <TAndreasen@BOZEMAN.NET>; Chris Mehl <CMehl@BOZEMAN.NET>
Subject: Re: UNA Annual 2018 Fall Meeting Follow-Up
I’d like to follow-up on several issues raised at the 9 November Fall Meeting, with observations
and constructive suggestions.
Observations:
Approximately 18 months earlier, UNA residents were asked to submit comments regardingthe City transportation plan, following the presentation by the City’s consultant. Many of ustook the time to respond. So far, nothing seems to have come from this initiative, and wewere not briefed at this meeting. The consultant discussed arterials, collector streets, and residential streets, urging us to usthe collector streets. Most relevant to our neighborhood, we were advised to enter S.Wilson, the arterial, from collectors such as Grant, Cleveland, and College. In this meeting, our police chief summarized crime and specifically, traffic accidents, mostoccurring on S. Wilson, people trying to enter S. Wilson. The largest complaint in ourmeeting were the increasing risk of entering S. Wilson. Most residents reported multiplenear-misses. Most noted the difficulty of seeing oncoming traffic due to parked cars on S.Wilson.S. Wilson residents stated that they cannot park on S. Wilson when MSU is in session. Regarding the planned upgrade of Kagy, I understand that an underpass, one or more, arelikely being dropped from upgrade plans due to the expense, reported to be $1.4 million in
the Chronicle. The most urgent need is at 11th and Kagy, linked to student apartments south
of Kagy (existing and planned) plus stadium/sports complex traffic.
Suggestions:
Immediately extend the parking district to include S. Wilson. Simultaneously, eliminate 1 or more parking spaces at the intersections of S. Wilson and thecollector streets. This combination should both increase access for S. Wilson residents andvastly improve safety.Consider less expensive underpass options for Kagy. I have attached a photo of theMonforton School/Huffine underpass that enhances access to Monforton School fromneighborhoods south of Huffine. I doubt a similar underpass would cost $1.4 million, evenwith a larger pre-cast tunnel. Install mini-roundabouts at S. Wilson intersections with the collector streets to:
Slow traffic at those intersections and enhance safetyTraffic calming along Wilson
Break up traffic strings caused by traffic lights at Kagy/S. Wilson/S 3rd (from thesouth) and Main and Babcock from the north.
For a model of mini-roundabouts, look to nearly any European country. English villageswith much narrower streets install them despite large farm equipment and trucks, andaccommodate higher traffic volumes. Roundabouts need not be as large as the one on11th/College or west side neighborhoods.Remove the curb extensions, such as at College to better accommodate small roundaboutswithout taking any additional property from corner residents. While the curb extensionsshorten the pedestrian crossing distance, they force cyclists into traffic. Curb extensions area poor attempt to improve pedestrian visibility because parking is permitted up to theextension.If curb extensions are retained, then consider another European innovation, creating a gapthat permits cyclists to pass without merging into auto traffic. Kathy, you are welcome to circulate among the UNA if you wish. Tanya, please forward toappropriate City officials.-- Regards,
Larry Newman1107 South 5th AvenueBozeman, MT 59715406.522.7220Cell: 406.581.1220
Huffine/Monforton School Underpass