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Safe Routes plan readied for state |
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Thursday, 22 October 2009 |
By WILLIAM LANEY
Managing Editor
The next step for Wapakoneta city administrators in securing $250,000 through the state’s Safe Routes to Schools grant funds is the submission of a sidewalk plan to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) by Nov. 2.
Wapakoneta Engineering Supervisor Mary Ruck submitted Wednesday a sidewalk plan, which included more than $500,000 worth of walkway improvements, to Wapakoneta City Council’s Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks Committee members to consider.
Wapakoneta 4th Ward Council Dan Graf explained his committee members directed Ruck on how to determine the proposed sidewalks to include for this initial round of funding. City administrators can seek funding for five straight years.
“We look to be in really good shape for this program to move forward,” said Graf, who chairs the Streets, Alleys and Sidewalks Committee. “We’ve asked Mary Ruck to develop plans for the first phase of the program to extend out from Wapakoneta High School and the new Wapakoneta Elementary School as far as the money, which we expect to receive about $250,000, can take us.
“The reason we are starting at the schools is because the schools are new and there are areas where no sidewalks exist, such as along Redskin Trail, and some of the sidewalks are not in place, such as through Bramblewood,” Graf said. “We want children to be able to walk safely to and from school.”
Graf said Ruck intends to do a more in-depth cost analysis for sidewalks from the high school along Redskin Trail to existing sidewalks near Defiance Street. If this does not deplete the funds, she plans to do a cost analysis from the schools through Bramblewood Estates.
Graf also said residents need to be aware that the grant only pays for sidewalk installation along one side of the street since the impetus of the grant is to help children walk to school safely.
Mayor Rodney Metz supported the decision as well as to use a sidewalk map developed by DGL Consulting Engineers, of Maumee, to start a grant request for the next year.
Committee members also instructed Ruck to consider curbs along the roadway or a tree lawn to keep the sidewalk from the edge of the street.
“I think a curb would help protect pedestrians, children and adults, from someone driving who is putting on their make-up or texting on their cell phone to drive off the roadway,” Graf said, referring to a previous conversation among his committee members. “I would hope the curb would stop the car or at least grab the driver’s attention. If a curb is not possible, I would like to see a tree lawn between the street and the sidewalk.”
During the meeting, Ruck said ODOT officials recommended city administrators concentrate on improving the intersection of Redskin Trail and Ohio 501 by installing double flashing lights, enhancing crosswalks and “really beef the safety measures in the area up.”
Ruck explained the sidewalks is required to be 5-feet wide along major roadways. She expects the funding to be released in March.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 23 October 2009 )
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