Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Locust Avenue topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges traffic calming on Locust Avenue near Sunrise Elementary; staff say no repaving plan
Summary
A BPAC attendee urged members to use an upcoming utility/repaving opportunity on Locust Avenue to implement traffic calming measures and protect school walking routes. City staff said Locust is scheduled only for patching tied to utility work and that a striping/repaving plan does not currently exist.
A resident raised safety concerns about Locust Avenue near Sunrise Elementary, telling BPAC that repaving or utility work is a rare chance to improve street safety for children. "I cannot let my kids walk alone on the street," the resident said, and argued that slowing vehicle speeds with traffic calming — such as cushions, chicanes and road narrowing — is more effective than painted bike lanes that are often unsafe because of debris and high vehicle speeds.
Tommy Sefranick, the city's bike and pedestrian coordinator, responded that Locust Avenue currently has no repaving schedule tied to a striping plan. "There's a utility project there, but there is no plan to repave Locust Avenue. It's just gonna get patchwork," he said, adding that the improvements the resident seeks would need to be documented and added to future planning efforts.
Members emphasized that speed reduction and traffic calming are priorities that belong in the transportation master plan and the BPAC work plan. The committee discussed aligning short‑term quick‑build opportunities with longer‑range design work and urged compiling locations that need infrastructure investments so they can be prioritized in planning documents.
The resident’s comments were noted for follow up as BPAC works on its work plan and as staff continue discussions with public utilities and VDOT projects affecting related corridors.
