Commission backs Pontiac Trail reconstruction with sidewalks on both sides; members urge tree-minimizing design

The Transportation Commission on Oct. 22 recommended approval of Option 1 for the Pontiac Trail neighborhood reconstruction project, endorsing a full-street rebuild that includes sidewalks on both sides of the roadway and design elements intended to slow traffic.

Mario, the project presenter, described the street as a narrow existing pavement with low parking utilization and said the two draft cross-section options considered differed mainly by whether on-street parking is retained. Option 1 would retain parking and build a 24-foot travelway with sidewalks both sides; Option 2 removes parking for a 22-foot travelway and wider terrace space. Mario said his analysis estimated roughly a dozen tree removals under the 24-foot option but emphasized the numbers were conservative and subject to refinement in design. He…