West University Place will conduct a citywide pedestrian safety study to review potential traffic calming measures.
What this means
On May 11, Megan Siercks, a traffic engineer with BGE who led the original study, recommended that they review pedestrian and vehicle traffic in five new locations:
- The intersection of Mercer Street and University Boulevard, and on College Street
- Around parks, schools, churches and the civic center
- 4100-4200 blocks of Bissonnet Street
- Weslayan Street to Bissonnet Street
- Buffalo Speedway to Bissonnet Street and Buffalo Speedway to West Holcombe Boulevard
The studies would include observing a 13-hour window from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. for vehicles and pedestrians on Tuesday through Thursday and on Sundays.
The total cost for the studies would be $298,450 and would take place throughout the year.
Some context
The study was conducted after city officials said residents were concerned about speeding at certain intersections. The initial study looked into whether or not traffic signals were necessary for those areas.
The study found that installing bulb-outs at four intersections could help address concerns. Bulb-outs are curb extensions that can be used as a traffic-calming feature that widens the sidewalk for a short distance.
What’s next
City Council unanimously approved the additional studies. Council member Kalie Rainsberger suggested that some of the proposed studies—like the one around churches and schools—be conducted at times that make sense.
“West U Elementary has a fall festival typically in October,” Rainsberger said. “Maybe if we delay for the fall, you might get something more approximate to what you experience during baseball season.”
No official date was set for the studies to begin, but Siercks said they can begin whenever the city is ready for them to start.
