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Commission updates: Bacon and Grant Road sidewalk and crosswalk requests remain constrained by right-of-way and cost
Summary
Staff told the commission that a Bacon Avenue sidewalk request did not meet criteria for a lowered speed limit after a speed study; the request for sidewalks was referred to the city sidewalk policy, which includes right-of-way and funding requirements.
At the August meeting staff updated commissioners on two neighborhood sidewalk and crosswalk requests: a resident request to reduce the speed limit and add sidewalks on Bacon Avenue, and a separate crossing request on Grant Road (at or near Fieldcrest/Grama Court).
Staff reported a speed study on Bacon Avenue that did not show a consistent speeding problem sufficient to justify a lower posted limit. The average speeds measured were near the posted limit; staff said they had not found a crash pattern that warranted a speed reduction. The resident’s primary concern was the lack of sidewalks for children walking to nearby schools; staff referred the request to the city’s sidewalk policy and advised that the sidewalk policy’s approval process and cost-sharing requirements would apply.
On Grant Road, staff said they were cautious about midblock crosswalks because midblock locations often require additional preventive measures (and therefore higher cost) to be safe. For the Grant Road/Fieldcrest location, staff suggested directing pedestrians to use the stop-sign-controlled intersection at Fieldcrest and Grant Road rather than installing a midblock crossing that would need supplemental treatments to address sight-line and winding-road issues.
Commissioners reiterated that right-of-way acquisition for sidewalks can be expensive and that sidewalk projects often take years of planning, resident outreach and funding assembly. Staff asked residents to use the city’s sidewalk request form so requests can be processed and potentially prioritized under the city policy.
