Commissioners push for reflectors and safety fixes at Point Brown roundabout, plan to pursue trail connection

Commissioners raised pedestrian and traffic-safety concerns at the Point Brown roundabout and along Ocean Shores Boulevard and Butterclam where pedestrians and bicyclists use narrow corridors.

Why it matters: A commission member described a near-accident at the roundabout involving a wheelchair user who could not reach pedestrian flags in the dark; commissioners said reflectors on curbs and additional lighting or pavement markers might reduce similar incidents. Another item noted motorists’ difficulty seeing where lanes narrow as drivers enter the IGA area at night.

Commissioners said the Point Brown multiuse trail north connection to the traffic circle was the No. 2 priority in the community biking/walking survey and that staff had forwarded resident concerns to Becky Leach and the mayor. Proposed safety measures discussed included curb reflectors, improved pavement markings and location-specific lighting. The commission also noted golf balls landing in the roadway near the roundabout and raised the possible use of netting along nearby fairways as a mitigation measure.

Next steps: Staff will continue discussions with the mayor and the city engineer and return with options and any scheduling details at a future meeting. Commissioners asked staff to prioritize the multiuse trail connection and to explore practical reflector solutions for the roundabout and left-turn curb approaches.