HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-28-22 Public Comment - Z. Osman - Oppose Fowler Ave Connection ProjectFrom:Zehra Osman
To:Agenda
Subject:Oppose Fowler Ave Connection Project
Date:Thursday, July 28, 2022 11:48:01 AM
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Since our comment timeframe was cut from three minutes to two minutes during the 7/27/22
Transportation Advisory Board meeting, here is the remainder of my comment that I didn’thave time to state last night:
1. A car-free linear trail (greenway) is absolutely a transportation facility. It does provide
connectivity - for people instead of cars. Many commenters who don’t live near the FAC havesupported this idea of a greenway/linear trail, so this would be of benefit to the whole
Bozeman community. This is important to note - believing this is a NIMBY issue can closeyour mind to this exciting idea that can benefit all of Bozeman.
2. A greenway along Fowler would be a game-changer for Bozeman. It would be an effective
way to signal to the community that the city takes climate change seriously.
3. A greenway could provide a connection all the way north to the Billing clinic and all theway south to Hyalite - - but for pedestrians/bicycles, not vehicles. In the interim, it could
connect to the the post office, Roseaurs, schools, Bozeman Ponds and fields, and the regionalpark - a great bike/ped path that has no vehicle intrusion. This greenway could connect to
other Bozeman trails for true Bozeman-wide connectivity for pedestrians and bikes - not cars.This would be such an exciting concept, it would be raves about on trip advisor!
4. Use speed bumps, stop signs, and other devices to discourage cars from short cutting
through local streets like Meagher and Yellowstone. This would encourage these drivers to useFerguson instead, which has much more room. This would address your concerns about
consequences of not installing a minor arterial on Fowler. It’s also cheaper! Are we really soreluctant to use stop signs and speed bumps that we would rather build a road that causes semi
trucks to rumble a few feet past bedroom windows?
5. Please install a traffic signal or stop signs at the intersection of Fowler and Babcock, whichwould help the bus drivers.
6. Medians restrict where bicycles can cross, so they have to circle around (make u-turns).
7. Here is documentation from the Federal Highways Administration that medians are actually
dangerous when used on roads like the proposed FowlerAve. https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/saferjourney1/library/countermeasures/16.htm.
8. Please see the facts and details submitted by other citizens commenters regarding the
ecological impacts of installing a road. These are not opinions, they are researchedassessments authored by subject matter experts. If you can’t find these, we’re happy to provide
them to you in one package.
Respectfully,
Zehra Osman312 Sanders Avenue