Originally posted by Supermike:
RE:
http://www.newsandtribune.com/local/local_story_206111906.htmlquote:
The board agreed to put a 6-foot fence around a cul-de-sac on Blue Teal Lane. The fence is being erected because children in the area are walking and taking mopeds through the cul-de-sac and onto nearby private property, said Barbara Wilson, a board member and city councilwoman.
Planning Director Jim Urban noted that many of the kids that are cutting through are on their way to Jeffersonville High School. The cut-through is being used in part because there are no sidewalks on Allison Lane, he said.
Sooo... I guess this means these kids will be walking along the sidewalk-less Allison Lane to get to school now? I'm sure that's not the only reason kids were cutting through there, but it IS a viable reason and shortcut. I find it interesting the City Council finds time to debate basketball goals on streets in the name of making things safer for kids, but can not find a way to put sidewalks in a school zone.
Perhaps Larry Thomas (is he still around) can provide some insight here. Is there a plan underway to put sidewalks in this area, or revamp that section of Allison Lane? If so, what is the timeline?
This also brings to mind some other road projects. We've been told that:
- Salem Noble is going to be overhauled from 62 to High Jackson (graded, straigtened, widened)
- that Holman Lane is going to be widened and sidewalked
- that the intersection of Charlestown-Jeff Pike and Hamburg Pike (by TJ Elem.) is going to be redesigned
- that Hamburg Pike itself is going to be widened and graded
- that portions of Allison Lane are going to be reworked
- that there will be a light on 10th by the JHS exit
- that Veteran's Parkway from Hamburg Pike to Holman's Lane is going to be completed
- that portions of 10th Street are "planned" to be widened
- and finally that the remainder of the Spring Street overhaul is going to be completed.
Phew! And if you ask, the common answer seems to be "late 2008 or 2009/2010". That's a LOT of road work! And it all NEEDS to be done for purposes of traffic and pedestrian safety. However, I've yet to see one surveyor or flag in the ground for any of these. But we can break ground and invest $500,000 into roadwork for the PRIVATE Town Center development!
Look, I want to see the Town Center flourish as much as anyone. But when it comes to road work thus far, I don't see that Galligan is getting ANYTHING done in these other areas that really seem more important. So can someone please provide an update on these projects? Are they real, just promises, or am I dreaming? Perhaps if Larry can't respond, the EN can look into these projects and get some straight answers.
One bit of info... I was told by an engineer for Jacobi, Toombs & Lantz that they were working the plan for Salem-Noble, yet someone (the county, presumedly?) went through and paved portions of it last year. With the growth of River Ridge, that intersection at SN and 62 is getting VERY dangerous! I know 62 belongs to the State, but who dictates whether a light gets put in there? The turning lanes are WAAAAYYY too short for the traffic using that intersection and having to cross at an angle to the railroad tracks! And it's become like Talledega there during morning and afternoon rushes.