Dear friends and bicycle advocates:
On 8/29 I wrote to you to say that Fitchburg had "finalized" the design
of the new Cannonball trail. However, the design is back in play again,
due to the support of Mayor Shawn Pfaff and an additional alder.
In that message, I noted that the path will be built without a safety
island at Seminole Highway, but with rectangular rapidly flashing
beacons (RRFBs) at *both* the Cannonball Path and Capital City Trail
crossings of Seminole Highway. After more public input and some alder
discussions, the mayor is bringing forward another resolution to change
the design to one that includes *both* the RRFBs at both crossings and
the safety island at the Cannonball Path. This should answer all the
safety objections and still fit within the project budget. The safety
island will calm traffic 24 hours/day, potentially allowing the speed
limit to be lowered on Seminole Highway in Fitchburg (to 35 MPH), but
should be no more obstructive to motorists than any safety island or
median end.
This measure will be going to five public meetings!
Public Works Sep 17 (tomorrow!)
Publice Safety and Human Services Oct 9
Transportation and Transit Oct 11
Finance Oct 23
Common Council Nov 27
The protracted period is due to the close vote on the predecessor issue
and the fact that a number of alders will be absent at meetings before
Nov 27.
If you would like to advocate for the revised design, the Council
meeting is the most important. However, a majority of members of Public
Works, Public Safety, and Finance all voted against the safety island in
the predecessor resolution, so it would be great to have a few advocates
at each of those meetings. Possible talking points:
1. Speeding is a chronic problem on this stretch of Seminole Hwy,
even though the speed limit is 40 MPH in Fitchburg.
2. Staff continues to recommend the island as the most important
safety feature because of its traffic calming effect.
3. At least one alder has asked for RRFBs.
4. Funding for the Cannonball Path is 80% federal, 20% local.
5. The proposed design (with island and RRFBs) fits within
the approved project budget.
For those who would like to dig into this more, the public works
complete meeting packet is at
http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/meeting_minutes/files/BPW_091712_PK.pdf
Resolution R-88-12, concerning the Cannonball Path, starts at p. 25 of
the PDF.
The accumulated history of the previous resolution, R-77-12, is in the
Common Council packet for Aug. 28, starting at p. 366 of the PDF, here:
http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/meeting_minutes/files/CC_082812_PK.pdf.
Thanks for supporting safe bicycling in Fitchburg and around the region!
--
Steve Arnold, Fitchburg Alder, District 4, Seat 7
2530 Targhee Street, Fitchburg, Wisconsin 53711-5491
Telephone +1 608 278 7700 · Facsimile +1 608 278 7701
[email protected] · http://Arnold.US
Become a supporter: like http://facebook.com/ArnoldforAlder.
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