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Study recommends 4‑way stop at Akins and Ridge; city weighs signal and updates top‑10 crash list
Summary
A city traffic study found Akins and Ridge meets warrants for a 4‑way stop and noted that MUTCD criteria could justify a traffic signal; administration said it favors a signal and will seek funding while the city updates its top‑10 crash list and considers crosswalk ADA compliance.
City Engineer Matt Glass told the Streets Committee that a completed traffic study for the Akins and Ridge intersection recommends a 4‑way stop and that, under MUTCD criteria (now implemented Jan. 16), the vertical grade and sight‑distance conditions could justify installing a traffic signal.
"The study itself does warrant a 4‑way stop," Glass said. He added that the administration is also looking into whether a signal could be installed "at a reasonable cost." Law Director Tom Kelly said the mayor favors a traffic signal at that intersection and Finance Director Jenny Esarey said the administration will look for funding.
Other intersection and pedestrian issues discussed included the Albion and York Road left‑turn arrow (parts ordered but installation and payment pending) and the Royalwood and Ridge Road intersection, which previously had an unfunded Public Works Commission application for an estimated $1.4 million project; the city has set aside $500,000 but the 2026 budget did not include additional money for the project.
Glass also recommended removing or confirming ADA compliance for curb ramps and pedestrian equipment at the Ridge and Edgerton crosswalk because there are curb ramps with no sidewalks leading to them; if retained, he recommended confirming ADA compliance and installing crosswalk markings, otherwise he recommended removing the ramps and equipment.
Why it matters: councilors and residents raised concerns about slip hazards on the Akins grade and near misses at multiple locations. Glass said the city will rework the Top‑10 crash list with updated crash counts and coordinate with Chief Tarase to prioritize capital work.
Next steps: The administration will evaluate signal costs and funding options, Glass will work with the police chief to refresh crash‑count data for the Top‑10 list, and intersections will be monitored after any new signal or left‑turn arrow installations to assess effectiveness.
