Council reviews pedestrian safety on Liberty Avenue, golf‑cart rules and approves OPWC application

Council members and staff spent substantial time on transportation and pedestrian‑safety issues, focusing on Liberty Avenue near the river bridge, where several members described high vehicle speeds, limited pedestrian separation and safety risks.

One council member warned the stretch between Park Drive and the bridge is ‘‘an accident waiting to happen’’ and urged considering lane‑reductions, traffic‑calming treatments or speed‑feedback signage. Staff and the service director noted that changes to posted speed limits and some traffic‑calming measures require state (ODOT) approval and are informed by crash data; the state typically uses crash history to justify lowering speed limits.

The committee also discussed golf carts: councilors asked whether golf carts could be permitted to cross the bridge or operate on certain stretches; staff explained statutory constraints tied to posted speed limits and suggested ODOT would have the final say for some changes. Members asked about possible localized allowances and enforcement challenges but made no immediate policy changes.

Separately, the council reviewed OPWC Round‑4 grant opportunities and voted to submit an application for Hybrid Road Phase 4 (north side project of approximately 800–900 feet). A resident urged the council to consider pedestrian access and separated sidewalks where appropriate when planning projects and repairs.

Council requested further staff work on possible traffic‑calming options, a data summary of crash history for the Liberty Avenue corridor, and sample ordinance language addressing electric bicycles on sidewalks, which staff said many communities are restricting.