Safe Streets for All project halfway through; survey flags enforcement and intersections as top concerns

Sunbury staff told the Services Committee on Feb. 5 that the Safe Streets for All planning process is roughly 40% complete and that early public input and consultant observations point to enforcement and intersection fixes as near‑term priorities.

City staff said Verdanta (the project consultant) has received 19 survey responses so far and expects the survey to close in mid‑February. The staff summary showed respondents skewed toward middle age groups; about 90% of respondents reported homeownership, roughly half reported children in the household, approximately 80% reported household income above $100,000, and about 68% reported holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The committee noted the response rate is lower than hoped and staff said they are pushing outreach to schools and local businesses.

The survey allowed a single primary choice for the question about immediate safety actions; the two most common responses were increased or targeted traffic enforcement and intersection or signal improvements. The consultant’s roadside observations identified several locations for further study: Damigan (Domigan) and Carter’s Corner, Miller Drive at Cherry, State Route 3 and 61 and an adjacent northbound bend, the town square area, and State Route 37 east where packet materials showed the highest recent number of fatalities on that stretch.

Staff described specific observations at the Domigan/Carter’s Corner intersection: long turning queues that encourage risk taking, poor visibility and high vehicle speeds, and school buses waiting to cross into high‑speed traffic. Staff said they have re‑contacted the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Berkshire Township to request updates and emphasize the city’s interest; staff noted that some locations are outside Sunbury municipal limits and would require coordination with ODOT or the township before any physical solution could be implemented.

Committee members discussed next steps including additional outreach to underrepresented groups, continued data collection, and follow‑up with ODOT on traffic counts and any recent studies. No formal action was taken at the meeting; the project will continue through public engagement and a final report expected later in the calendar year.