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Council endorses low‑cost pedestrian fixes while MIPS team scopes bigger safety projects
Summary
Meridian staff and the Multimodal Intersection/Pedestrian Safety (MIPS) task force proposed a package of short‑term pedestrian improvements using $500,000 approved in the FY25 budget: 13 thermoplastic crosswalks (~$52,000), two sidewalk/ramp repairs (roughly $50,000), and further scoping of larger projects with ACHD and ITD.
City transportation staff and members of the Meridian pedestrian safety task force asked the City Council on Feb. 25 to fund a set of lower‑cost pedestrian improvements this spring and to continue scoping larger treatments with partner agencies.
What staff proposed: Heather told council the FY25 budget included $500,000 to support implementation of the task force’s safety recommendations. The staff packet identified a near‑term package of 13 high‑visibility thermoplastic crosswalks (near existing pedestrian hybrid beacons and other crossings) with an estimated cost of about $52,000 that would include material, traffic control and installation. Staff also proposed two concrete projects—pedestrian ramp improvements at Linder and Turtle Creek and sidewalk repairs at Meridian and Autumn Park Lane—estimated together at roughly $50,000.
Council reaction and next steps: Council members generally supported taking the lower‑cost items forward this spring so Meridian can show immediate progress while staff and ACHD scope larger corridor and signal projects. Councilman Overton, who previously led the task force, said many of the crosswalks on the list did not meet ACHD’s original thresholds but were identified by the city as locations where pedestrian travel, school routes and recent development warrant marking.
Maintenance and jurisdiction: Heather said ACHD agreed to assume maintenance after the city installs the thermoplastic markings. Councilman Kavanagh and others raised intersections on state‑owned corridors, noting coordination is sometimes required to repaint state highway crosswalks; staff said the primary impediment to recent painting was seasonal weather and crew availability.
Costs and use of funds: With the recommended crosswalk and concrete ramp projects, staff estimated roughly $102,000 of the $500,000 would be used immediately, leaving about $400,000 available to apply toward larger scoping, accessible ramps and signalized crossing work in partnership with ACHD and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD).
Ending: Council asked staff to proceed with the immediately actionable crosswalks and ramp repairs this spring, continue coordination with ACHD/ITD on larger projects, and return with refined scopes and cost estimates for the remaining MIPS recommendations.
