That is great, Alder Arnold. Bikers, particularly those with children in tow, will appreciate the safety of only having one lane to cross at once on a busy and soon to be busier Seminole Highway. It should also mitigate the tendency of those of us who become impatient, to misjudge the speed of vehicles.
Finally, it is just less expensive to do this with the Cannon Ball Path rather than try to retrofit later. Thanks again. Larry D. Nelson, P.E. 1506 Cameron Drive Madison, WI 53711 608 630 6532 (C) -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Steve Arnold Sent: Sunday, September 16, 2012 4:31 PM To: [email protected]; Amanda White; [email protected] Cc: [email protected]; Ahnaray Bizjak; [email protected] Subject: [Bikies] Cannonball Path design to be reconsidered by Fitchburg Common Council 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. _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org
