Senior Traffic Engineer Chad Ostrander told members of the planning and zoning commission during its Feb. 19 meeting that the traffic management program for neighborhood streets began in January.
The overview
This new program includes a dedicated website and application to request traffic-calming measures, according to city documents. Ostrander said applications for the program are evaluated by staff, and the city has about $400,000 allocated from 2021 bond funds.
Once an application is filled out and returned to staff, residents will then be required to obtain signatures on a petition within 60 days. Any denied applications would be required to wait at least one year before reapplying, Ostrander said.
“We’re looking for two-thirds of neighbors in that area to say yes or no,” Ostrander said. “If two-thirds say yes, then we will move onto the data collection and analysis.”
Zooming in
There are several traffic-calming measures that can be implemented on a roadway, officials said.
- Chicanes
- Curb extensions
- In-street medians
- Mini roundabouts
- Pinch points
- Raised crosswalks
- Traffic circles
- Traffic islands
Transportation Manager Bryan Shewski said any installed traffic-calming measures must remain in place for at least one year, unless there is a safety issue.
What’s next?
Ostrander said there have been five projects initially identified, including two where the city is the applicant. Residents seeking further improvements are able to apply on the program's website.
He added that staff will conduct a survey in April to evaluate the program and make any necessary adjustments.
