Sandy Springs Council discusses traffic-calming decisions

Two sets of speed cushions were installed on Allen Road in Provided by Sandy Springs The Sandy Springs City Council spent its June work session discussing the implementation of traffic-calming devices such as speed bumps on local streets and roads After hearing a staff statement from Kristen Wescott Transportation Services Unit manager on the city s strategy City Attorney Dan Lee stated that traffic control device decisions shouldn t be made solely by the constituents Whether or not a traffic control device is implemented shouldn t be a popular vote Lee reported It ought to be driven by traffic science statistics and the like Wescott stated the city adopted a traffic-calming strategy in with three revisions since then the latest coming in Proceeding traffic calming in the city includes speed cushions speed humps chicanes roundabouts splitter islands raised intersections and median fences Council member John Paulson countered that the city s masses works and traffic staff are often met with resistance from neighborhoods when they recommend a calming device He announced the council shouldn t be put in the position of imposing a traffic-calming device if its against a neighborhood s wishes I guess it s got to be a little more cleanly defined that if staff thinks something requirements to be done we just need to go do it Paulson commented Council member Andy Bauman revealed when a traffic control device is warranted the city necessities to handle it like it does with intersection projects prioritize which projects should be done and then work through them Related stories Sandy Springs strives to eliminate traffic fatalities by Sandy Springs may fill sidewalk gaps add bike lanes If the staff doesn t think a traffic-calming project is warranted but the neighborhood wants it Paulson disclosed the city has an existing procedures for next approaches The existing city framework requires neighborhoods that want traffic-calming to get the approval of percent of residents in the area and percent of the property owners of parcels adjacent to the project City staff will assess an application from the neighborhood If the review by staff is favorable the neighborhood then must pay percent of the costs for the installation while the city funds the maintenance Paulson revealed he s been having conversations about speeding and traffic-calming with his neighbors on Northridge Road He reported selected neighbors want speed humps but others are concerned they might slow down fire trucks or emergency services Paulson commented he s open to having procedures discussions but wants a broader program review so that the city doesn t do anything to jeopardize populace safety Bauman mentioned it s the council s job to remove obstacles and not make it demanding for the neighborhoods to get traffic-calming devices saying that the cost shouldn t be a barrier to safer roads Selected of the neighborhood traffic-calming projects have included Jett Road Two sets of speed cushions installed in for Rivershore Estates Riverside Parkway Three sets of speed cushions installed in at a cost of Allen Road Two sets of speed cushions were installed in for Rivershore Estates Riverwood Drive Three sets of speed cushions installed in at a cost of The post Sandy Springs Council discusses traffic-calming decisions appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta