Politics & Government

Water's End Getting New Stop Signs on McAllister

After neighborhood bands together to alert city about the problem, Traffic, Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee is quick to adopt stop sign plan.

Benicians living near the intersection of Piercy Court and McAllister Drive are looking forward to slower traffic and an easier time getting turning onto McAllister from Piercy after the Traffic, Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee voted to approve an all-way stop at the dangerous intersection.

The night got off to a good start for supporters of the stop signs when committee chairman Councilman said about the need for the stop signs, "It's a pretty obvious issue that needs to be addressed."

Mike Roberts of the Public Works Department briefly mentioned an alternative to stop signs that involved cutting away part of a hillside and erecting a retaining wall, but also pointed out that option would take more time and cost a lot more money than the estimated $750 cost of adding two stop signs to the intersection.

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Residents have complained of speeding cars and the limited visibility when trying to turn from Piercy Court onto McAllister.  Traffic coming from the south is heading downhill and naturally going fast and traffic coming from the north can’t see cars making the turn from Piercy because of a bend in the road and a hill that blocks visibility.

Robert said the city sent 324 notices to residents who will be affected by the new stop signs.  Seven people responded that they were in favor of the new traffic controls and there were no responses against them.

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Judy Crippen, who lives on Piercy, did her homework before Thursday’s meeting. On Aug. 16 she used a radar gun to measure the speeds of cars driving south on McAllister. Between 7 and 7:30 a.m. she clocked 50 cars and found they were traveling at an average speed of 33 mph in the 25 mph zone. According to Crippen, the fastest car was traveling 40 mph and the slowest was traveling at the speed limit.

Crippen says she saw drivers talking on cell phones, texting, drinking coffee and even one driver who wasn’t paying attention and was driving on the wrong side of the road.

Besides the stop signs, residents asked for painted crosswalks at the intersection and further north on McAllister where a walking trail crosses the road.

“You need a crosswalk there,” said resident Rich Lockwood. “There are hundreds of people who use that trail. There should be crosswalks at the stop signs and at the trail.”

Jennifer Everhart also asked the committee to consider putting in a crosswalk at the trail crossing. She suggested flashing lights in the crosswalk to alert drivers when pedestrians are in the crosswalk.

The committee decided to limit the scope of the project to the intersection and voted to have the all-way stop at Piercy Court and McAllister Drive with painted crosswalks and signs warning drivers to slow for pedestrians.

Melissa Mortenson from the Public Works Department said the signs should be in place within two weeks.


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