Committee declines to pursue West Ninth Avenue road-diet study after mixed reaction

A request from a resident to study a potential road diet on West Ninth Avenue (Washburn to Oakwood) was raised during the Jan. 14 meeting of the Oshkosh City Transportation Committee and was not advanced for consultant study after members expressed little support.

Committee staff said one resident had emailed a council member asking about the process for having West Ninth evaluated. Staff noted prior safety improvements in the corridor, including rectangular rapid-flashing beacons at Graceland and a permanent signal at West Haven. Committee members said they would keep monitoring crash history, but several members opposed using consultant bike-and-pedestrian funds for a study based on a single complaint.

One committee member said, “If it were up to me, I'd get rid of all these road diets,” arguing that recent road-diet projects created congestion in other parts of the city. Another member, who identified experience as a regular two-wheel commuter, said road diets can reduce variability and be valuable in some locations but did not see a pressing need on West Ninth. Ms. Martin, who frequently uses the corridor, said she had observed only one accident in nine years and did not see a problem requiring study.

Staff summarized that the committee’s consensus was to decline immediate study but to monitor the area and accident data. The staff member said that if broader resident interest emerges, the committee could reconsider formal analysis and consultant funding.