Commission reviews quick-build redesign for Schumann Drive crossing

Fitchburg staff presented a short-term redesign of the Schumann Drive crossing at Park Hill Path intended to simplify crossings between contiguous multi-use paths.

The staff presenter said the plan would paint the existing crosswalk green, relocate a stop sign to consolidate crossings at a single intersection, add a short two-way painted bike lane with flex posts on the roadway and complete the work within "the next 4 to 6 weeks" within the current budget. "It's a it's a nice easy quick build project, and it'll it'll resolve a little bit of confusion and potential safety issues there," the staff member said.

Commissioners pressed staff for details about which stop sign would move and whether a crosswalk would be removed. A committee member asked whether the easternmost crosswalk that connects to the Seminole Glen Path would remain; staff said that crosswalk would keep stop signs both directions and that the green-painted mid-block crossing would function as a mid-block crossing for bicyclists.

The presenter said the total project cost currently in the packet is $500 for the whole change but that per-item replacement costs (for example, replacing knocked-down flex posts) were not yet known and would be provided in a follow-up email. "We just got the whole $500 cost for this for this whole thing right now," the staff member said.

The commission did not vote on the plan. Chair (S4) and other members indicated the commission wanted more information from staff (including Ross, the project lead who was out of town) before any construction proceeded.