help shape how $21 million will improve 27 all road users
Mark Stosberg
Hello, Happy spring everyone.
I want to make sure that you are all aware that a public comment period
is now open for feedback on INDOT's proposed renovation of 27 as it
passes through downtown Richmond. The stretch of 27 included in this
work starts just about at the Whitewater River by the Old Reid Hospital
and continues through Richmond to the southern edge of town.
I have published my own draft comment online for review, which addresses
what I see as two critical areas for improvement in the proposal.
1. The preliminary plan includes some costly changes that would increase
the average traffic speeds as 27 enters downtown. Research shows that
increased speeds can lead to more accidents and injuries, and I believe
this increased traffic speeds will adversely affect the safety of those
who live, walk, bike and work downtown. This aspect should be
reconsidered (which could save a considerable amount of money in the $21
million dollar budget.)
2. The plan fails address the cycling as a viable option by not
completing the gap in the Richmond bike route network that we have where
27 crosses the Whitewater River and passes the old Reid Hospital. My
feedback includes a specific proposal to address and asks that it be
funded as part of the project.
Today I want to make sure you are aware of this project and can begin to
research and prepare your own public comment. For my part, I'm
continuing to consult related experts and stakeholders to further refine
my own comment. The following groups have been contact or are in the
process of being contacted:
- The Parks Department
- The Planning Department
- Bicycle Indiana
- The owner of the old Reid Hospital
- Indiana's state Bike/Ped coordinator
- a bike planning expert from Portland, Oregon
In a week this process should be complete and we should have the best
feedback incorporated. At that point, several of us can choose to
endorse a single response to INDOT, and other individuals can take what
they may from the conversations and send their own direct feedback.
In the meantime, I encourge you to review the draft comment and continue
to discuss possibilities on this list.
http://mark.stosberg.com/bike/2010/03/completing-us-27-for-cyclists-is-essential.html
Thanks!
Mark
Mark Stosberg
As I continue to research how to best respond to the proposed 27
renovations, I have prepared a new post which explains the "Complete
Streets" movement, including how it could apply locally, and what's
already happening around the state and in Congress:
http://mark.stosberg.com/bike/2010/03/complete-streets-policies-come-to-indiana.html
At the end I have a call to action for blog readers, but I would
encourage you to hold off on your on your own comment to INDOT for a
few more days. Over the weekend I plan to prepare a final
recommendation for a coordinated action we can take to respond, to
further our roads for all users.