HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-11-19 Public Comment - M. Egge - Addendum 2 to the Impact Fee Payment AgreementFrom:Mark Egge
To:Agenda
Subject:Addendum Number 2 to the Impact Fee Payment Agreement
Date:Sunday, August 11, 2019 7:33:48 PM
Hello.
I'm writing regarding "Addendum Number 2 ... Improvements to the Intersection of Highland
Boulevard and East Main Street..."
Visiting this intersection recently, I'm very disappointed to find that the newly reconstructedintersection provides no improvements for the safety of pedestrians or cyclists. Crossing this
intersection is necessary to access to the city's shared use path along Highland Blvd, thehospital, and the popular nearby recreational trails. Strava Metro data shows significant
pedestrian and cyclist activity in this area.
Prior to this project, there was no crosswalk on the west leg of the intersection connecting tothe Highland Blvd shared use path. $1.1m later, there is still no crosswalk connecting to the
Highland Blvd shared use path.
NACTO's Urban Street Design Guide is clear about the dangers of the current configuration:"All legs of signalized intersections must have marked crosswalks... Pedestrians are unlikely
to comply with a 3-stage crossing and may place themselves in a dangerous situation as aresult."
The roadway on the west leg of the intersection is 88' wide and the speed limit is 40 mph.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety's 2011 report (“Impact Speed and aPedestrian’s Risk of Severe Injury or Death”) approximately half of pedestrians struck by a
vehicle traveling at 40 mph will die at the scene.
Prior to this project, there were no bicycle facilities to for safe movement for cyclists throughthis busy intersection. $1.1m later, there are still no bicycle facilities, despite Highland being a
city street and the city's Complete Streets policy.
The lack of bike lanes is particularly unusual, given that CIP Project SIF111 "Highland (Mainto Kagy) - Construction & Design" proposes spending $5 to reconstruct Highland Boulevard,
in part to add bike lanes and to improve pedestrian safety. How much of the $1.1m just spentwill need to be redone to add bike lanes and a safe crosswalk?
The hospital is a significant transportation demand generator. If the city wishes to improve the
function of this intersection, I would suggest that one cost-effective and durable strategywould be to install a safe crossing to enable pedestrians and cyclists to more easily access the
hospital and nearby recreational facilities.
Mark Egge542 N Black Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715
CC: Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee, Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board