Keizer committee prioritizes safe pedestrian crossing at Lock Haven and Verda over low-impact paint projects

The Keizer Traffic Safety Bikeways Pedestrian Committee on Sept. 18 reviewed a long list of proposed green-paint bike-crossing and pavement-marking projects and urged focusing resources on a safe pedestrian crossing at Lock Haven and Verda, an area committee members said serves multiple schools.

"To me, in terms of an improvement for Keizer that deals with pedestrian and bike safety, I would much ... put resources towards a safe pedestrian crossing there at Verda and Lehi Haven," said David, a committee member who identified areas where school routes and apartment growth increase pedestrian demand.

Committee members said the budget committee did not approve the green-paint list this year and that resources are limited across city funds. Members discussed which projects would achieve the greatest safety impact for the community and suggested creating two priority lists: (1) green-paint/bike-marking priorities and (2) pedestrian-crosswalk priorities, to be considered for future budgets.

Public Works staff explained some improvements, such as constructing turn lanes or reconfiguring intersections, are capital projects that are costly and occur on a multiyear planning and funding cycle. For lower-cost items such as painted crosswalks and green pavement treatments, members noted that the items still may be deferred if roads need repaving or if higher-priority capital investments are scheduled in the same corridor.

The committee asked members to return portfolios of their top three to five priority streets to staff (Mike/Don) for consolidation and scoring before the next meeting. Staff said it would compile the rankings and provide the top-scored items for the committee's next meeting and for submission to the budget committee.

Committee discussion identified specific locations raised repeatedly by residents: Lock Haven at McLeod (concerns about right-turn lane geometry and cyclist safety), Lock Haven at River Road, and Lock Haven and Verda (pedestrian crossing near schools). Members also noted Wheatland Road and Chemawa as long-range or potentially expensive projects that may require engineering study before paint treatments are feasible.

The committee framed the green-paint list as a "Keizer honey-do" list the city can use to budget incremental improvements, while encouraging members to press for higher-priority crosswalks and capital fixes in long-range planning and budget processes.