A month or so ago, there was a meeting to discuss the John
Nolen/Blair/Willy St/Wilson St area - both the intersection itself
and possible re-development of some properties. Many of the attendees
voiced concerns and ideas about this intersection and how tough it is
to negotiate by bike.
The article below appeared in the most recent Williamson-Marquette
Gazette, and I thought some people might find it interesting.
Williamson-Marquette Gazette March-April 2006, MNA Report by Marsha Rummel
Intersection Meeting The corner of Williamson, Blair, John Nolen, E.
Wilson and the WSOR railroad tracks is one of the most complex
intersections in the city. It is dangerous for bicyclists and
pedestrians to cross the street. Spurred by the possibility of
additional new housing on Block 115 (the Essen House parking lot)
and the redevelopment of the 600-700 block of Williamson, Alder Judy
Olson convened a meeting with east side neighbors and city staff in
late January to take testimony on the intersection. There is no
money budgeted for improvements at this time.
Within two hours, the group had a series of recommendations.
* Close the westbound turn from Blair to E Wilson in front of
the Ruby Marie Hotel and make the area into a landscaped
plaza/expanded bike path.
* Paint a large "zebra-striped" crosswalk between the Gateway
Mall and the Ruby Marie Hotel. This will reduce the danger for
bikers of crossing the tracks at an angle and remind drivers that
pedestrians need to use the street too. Right turns from Williamson
onto Blair create the majority of accidents at the intersection.
* Close E. Wilson where it enters the back of the Gateway Mall.
* End the sweeping right hand turn from John Nolen to Williamson
St., which will facilitate pedestrian and bike crossing.
* Eliminate pedestrian safety islands (a.k.a. "porkchops") on
the south side of Williamson and E. Wilson.
* Better signage for the driveway serving Machinery Row.
* Add "bike boxes" at Williamson and E Wilson. Bike boxes are
painted areas for bikes to wait at intersections, they signal
drivers to look before turning.
* Add bike lanes to both sides of Williamson St.
If you would like to support these ideas or add some of your own,
contact Alder Judy Olson at district6 @ cityofmadison.com or Larry
Nelson, City Engineer at lnelson @ cityofmadison.com, and then urge
the Mayor to fund these improvements in next year's capital budget
mayor @ cityofmadison.org.
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