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Residents and officials flag Staley Road shoulders, bridge bike access and passing‑on‑shoulder safety
Summary
Public commenters and board members raised safety concerns about Staley Road shoulders, blocked bicycle‑path access at a bridge worksite, and drivers passing on the right; a speaker urged the town to budget at least $550,000 for Staley Road shoulders and drainage work.
Multiple residents and officials told the Town Board of Grand Island on June 2 that roadway shoulders, pedestrian/bicycle access and unsafe passing habits are a local safety concern.
Public comments: Jim Walters, a resident and landscaper, said contractors working on the North bridge have blocked access to the bicycle path and left materials that punctured bike tires; he said the closure prevents trailers and equipment from reaching river access points and urged the town to press the state and contractors to reopen paths. Rick Johnston said drivers frequently pass on the right in single‑lane areas and that people walking on shoulders face collision risk.
Staley Road: Councilman Degler (public commenter) gave a detailed presentation on the condition and estimated costs to repair shoulders and drainage on Staley Road, comparing several engineering estimates. Degler said a prior consultant’s estimate (about $9.7 million) appeared excessive and offered an alternative scoped estimate near $1.76 million, with a suggested immediate target of finding $550,000 in the 2026 budget to complete shoulder work and drainage pipe purchases. He urged the board to prioritize shoulder work as a safety issue and to fund immediate repairs.
Board and staff response: Board members acknowledged the concerns and said the supervisor and highway superintendent are coordinating with state and private contractors. The supervisor reported outreach to legislators about congressional member funding (described as a federal funding request, not an awarded grant) and said highway is scheduling some crossover work during a pharmaceutical plant shutdown period; he also noted the police department will deploy two new speed‑trailer units to collect traffic data.
Next steps and context: Council members said they would follow up with the state about bridge access, and asked highway staff about scheduling and potential local funding. The board did not approve any immediate construction appropriation at the June 2 meeting, but several members said they would seek funding options during the 2026 budget process.
Ending: The board encouraged residents to report hazards and said staff will evaluate the cost estimates and funding options for Staley Road repairs.
