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City selects contractor for pedestrian and school‑zone safety plan after resident raises speed concerns
Summary
After a resident reported frequent speeding on Broadway near Fifth and Sixth streets, Estacada staff said a contractor will prepare a pedestrian and school‑zone safety action plan focused on the River Veil School area; the work is grant-funded and includes field evaluations and community engagement.
A resident who lives at the corner of Fifth and Broadway told the Estacada City Council that many drivers turning from Sixth onto Broadway "hit the pedal to the metal" and reach speeds of 40 to 50 mph by the time they pass his house, creating a risk for children walking to school and young cyclists.
Mayor Drinkwine and staff acknowledged the concern and said the city has been looking at neighborhood speed and safety issues citywide. City staff told the council that the city, through its Thriving Communities program, has selected a contractor to produce a pedestrian and school‑zone safety action plan. The staff presentation said the plan will include field evaluations, stakeholder and community engagement, and a focus around the River Veil School area. The city manager said the final plan will "outline safety issues, proposed improvements, prioritization, and implementation strategies" and that the project is funded through a grant and is not expected to have a budgetary impact.
Council discussed several potential short‑term steps the resident suggested, including moving the posted 25 mph signs closer to the block where the speed change is missed and installing more visible flashing signs similar to the ones near the LDS Church. Staff also said they could conduct a speed study on the Broadway section cited by the resident to "see what's going on there and identify some situations." The council encouraged staff to include visible signage and consider possible physical traffic calming measures as the plan is developed.
Why it matters: City staff are moving from complaint‑driven responses to a systematic plan that could change signage, recommend physical street design changes and identify enforcement or education steps near a school zone. Residents concerned about child safety on neighborhood streets can expect community engagement as part of the contracted study.
Ending: Staff said they will return with results from the safety planning process and may bring specific recommendations, including signage changes or speed studies, for council consideration.
