2000-08-28 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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/ Mr. Engelken, We would appreciate your viewing the enclosed 23 minute video tape. We think that for those Council members who live in subdivisions with sidewalks, curbs, and quiet streets, it may be hard to see the traffic dangers in Lomax where the main streets are our sidewalks and they fall off into deep ditches. If a picture is worth a 1000 words; then this video speaks volumes about the negative safety impact the Phase 1 Road will have on the children and citizens of this residential neighborhood. The video was filmed from a mail box located 3 ft. from the road edge, looking North in the North half of Lomax School Road. The junction at the stop sign is uP" street. The Rodeo Arena, Fire Station # 3, the ball field, and the Old Lomax City Hall are on the right. A section of North West Park is on the left. The video is compressed from 6 hrs. of taping. The video segments ate lIthe middle of the road" concerning traffic volume and speed. There are times with no traffic for a few minutes, and there are times during special events at the Rodeo Arena when . traffic is much heavier than it is in the vid~o. The segment from minute 7:45 to 15 is continious. Most of the traffic you see whizzing by the stop sign is traveling 50 to 70 miles an hour... through a residential area where residents back out onto the road; children ride their bikes; and residents ride their horses to the arena...all on the same narrow road with the traffic. Minute 2:10 captures our greatest safety concern. When the children on bicycles dart into the road, the car moves intQ the oncoming lane to avoid hitting the . children. This is the safety net that lets us cope with a very dangerous traffic situation in Lomax and it is repeated many times every day. You will see the safety net used 2 'more times in this video. Wilbur Smith and Associates July 27, 1999 technical report on the Phase 1 Road under Recommendations repeatedly emphasis's that the Phase 1 Road will increase traffic through this area... And as the traffic increases our safety net goes away. After viewing the video We think you'll understand why We believe the Phase 1 Connecting Road is not Just a Bad Idea; It is a serious disregard for the public safety of our citizens. We apologize for the out of focus near uP" Street. The camera was focused short range to help you see what it is like to be close to the road with fast traffic whizzing by a few feet away; but it really did not accomplish that. It seems that that experience needs to be first hand so we invite you spend a little time in our neighborhood and get the first hand feel of what it is like to ride a horse, bike, or walk intermingled with fast traffic on narrow roads with steep ditches, and in many areas, no road shoulders. We'll gladly supply the bikes and horses for your experience, Thanks for your time and consideration; c~~~L \