Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pedestrian Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public commenter urges immediate safety fixes after pedestrian fatality along US-101 in Coos Bay
Summary
A resident told the joint planning commission that a recent pedestrian fatality at the Keithwood/US‑101 corridor underscores the need for expedited safety improvements; he read an ODOT response listing planned crosswalk, lighting and audible-signal work and a scheduled corridor study.
A Coos Bay resident told the joint City–County Planning Commission work session that a recent pedestrian fatality on the Keithwood/US‑101 corridor demands faster safety improvements and better pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.
Dean Lundy said he came to urge action on pedestrian and bicycle safety after “we've had our first fatality there.” He read portions of a letter he had received from the Oregon Department of Transportation that listed targeted near-term safety measures and a planned corridor study.
Reading from the ODOT letter, Lundy said, “ODOT continues to work with both the City of Coos Bay and the City of North Bend on coordination efforts, looking to leverage targeted safety programs to implement incremental safety improvements in the area that are in alignment with both cities and community needs. For example, planned improvements for ’25 include enhanced crosswalks, marked bike lanes, additional lighting on a segment of Newmark in North Bend, and installation of audible pedestrian signals at five crosswalks along the 101.”
Lundy told commissioners the ODOT Region 3 planning section scheduled a corridor study to begin in 2025; he expressed concern the study timeline could last years while lives are at risk. “We've already had the first fatality right there,” Lundy said. “I don't know how many white crosses we're gonna have on those hills in the next two years, but your study should come up with something.”
Commissioners did not take action at the session; Lundy’s comments were recorded during the public comment portion of the meeting. Staff indicated they had received ODOT correspondence and would continue coordination with the state on the corridor study and planned improvements.
