HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-15-16 Public Comment - C. Sedlak - Kagy ReconstructionTo the Bozeman City Commissioners (Jeff Krauss, Chris Mehl, and I-Ho Pomeroy;
as well as Mayor Taylor and Deputy Mayor Andrus) and all else it may concern:
This morning I read the online version of Eric Dietrich's article concerning the Kagy Blvd redesign.
In the article, he asks the reader:
"What should Kagy Boulevard, the often-clogged arterial bordering the south edge of Montana
State’s campus, look like after a planned reconstruction project?"
Let me state that I understand Dietrich is entitled to his opinion, as are the rest of the Chronicle staff.
However, as it is a newspaper, one should safely assume their statements are based on fact or at least
popular opinion. And so, it must be the opinion of at least some members of our community that Kagy
is "often-clogged." (Please believe that I am not going to rant here. My lead-in has a purpose.)
It is not. I use Kagy daily and have driven it daily (often multiple times a day at different times of day)
for many years. Kagy is not clogged with too many vehicles. I have never witnessed Kagy backed up
with traffic, say, between 7th and Willson or 11th and 19th, or even between 7th and 11th. Night or day.
Afternoon or AM. Winter or Summer. (I should note that I have lived in Bozeman for 20 years, after
having grown up in other parts of Montana, and after living and doing research and work in other parts
of the U.S. and globe.)
The rest of Dietrich's statement shows a misunderstanding related to the traffic 'issue' itself. Kagy
Boulevard, as you know, is not on the south edge of Montana State University. The stadium and other
properties --which are part of MSU-- are south of the boulevard. The Museum of the Rockies is
technically also part of campus and is south of Kagy. The new Stadium Apartments are also part of
'campus.' Like 11th, Kagy is a car conduit which spans through two major parts of MSU's campus.
And so, the issue with Kagy is foot traffic. The issue is not automobile traffic. Hundreds of people cross
that road on foot every day. Each time they do, traffic must stop. This is what "clogs" Kagy. The city
does 'car counts' on various roads, to determine load and traffic patterns, but has anyone ever
measured the sheer number of pedestrians which cross Kagy Blvd?
Kagy's speed limit does not need to be lowered, nor does it require being raised. Kagy's lane number
and width does not need to be increased or decreased. What I (and many people I know in Bozeman,
especially admin, staff, and students at MSU) believe needs to happen is a better way for pedestrians to
cross Kagy. One or two foot bridges over the boulevard and/or one or two pedestrian tunnels linking
both sidewalks would go a long way to solving the 'issue' with this major east-west traffic conduit. Many
cities, small and large, in this country and abroad have implemented similar structures for
pedestrians. Bridges or tunnels or both. A short tunnel to the stadium from the fieldhouse parking lot is
a great idea; MSU (and therefore the State of MT) may even help pay for it.
The problem is not the number of cars (which will only increase if lane number increases; have you seen
10th Ave. South in Great Falls?), it is simply the close interaction of hundreds (sometimes thousands) of
pedestrians daily with the automobile traffic. Automobile traffic on Kagy always flows well IF there are
no pedestrians at that moment. Don't fix what isn't broken with the boulevard itself. Instead, give the
pedestrians an easier and safer way to cross Kagy at one or two locations... and the 'issue' with driving
on Kagy will cease.
Thank you for your time. Sincerely,
Chris W. Sedlak