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Voices together can make a difference |
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January 13, 2018 |
For those of you who have expressed concerns
over the Highway 95 reconstruction project, this
is the email I received from Damon Allen at ITD.
It basically states that concerns of one citizen
are not taken into account, so if you have
concerns and want to make a difference, then I
ask that you make a simple phone call or write a
quick email posting your concerns.
One person can't make a difference, but many
can. Here is a copy of my response from ITD:
"Tim, thanks for the discussion the other day. I
consulted with the designer, the project
engineer and mayor again around your primary
comments.
"1. Signal at Alderson … as discussed, unfortunately the traffic analysis
does not warrant a signal at this time. The old
signal has to physically be removed to construct
the new widened street. Once the City completes
their transportation plan we can re-engage when,
where and if a signal is warranted. We could
potentially construct a signal with the next
phase of the project or a standalone project in
the future if need be.
"2. Number of lanes on the hill … as discussed, the design is to get
traffic merged into one lane well before the
cross walk to optimize safety for the
pedestrians and allow for the RT turn lane into
Kootenai street. The City still felt that was
important. As discussed with you and the mayor,
we will not be putting in hard medians and will
be using striping paint, so once the project is
complete we can make easy adjustments to the
paint based on how it is actually performing.
"3. The access to business can and will be adjusted on a case by case
basis with the individual property owners to
best accommodate them and the safety of the
road.
"So … the project will be bid and constructed
pretty close to how it is currently depicted.
Again, thanks for your comments and passion for
transportation in your area. We will enter these
comments into the record for the project."
I would highly suggest attending the City
Council Meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 16,
and voice your concerns from the city's
standpoint. The council does appreciate our
involvement.
Here are some people you can write to by email:
Bonners Ferry Mayor David Sims,
dsims@bonnersferry.id.gov, ITD personnel Ben
Ward,
ben.ward@itd.idaho.gov, Dan Budd,
Dan.Budd@itd.idaho.gov, and Damon
Allen,
damon.allen@itd.idaho.gov, ITD board member
Jim Coleman via
sue.higgins@itd.idaho.gov, and of course our
Idaho State Senator Shawn Keough and advocate of
the people,
skeough@senate.idaho.gov.
Of course this is only paint, but that paint
makes a huge difference on traffic flow and
there is no reason to get started off on the
wrong foot. Now is the time to get started
because of how slow the government is.
Please feel free to share. |
Tim West
Bonners Ferry |
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