Redesign addresses concerns
A revised design for the city of Spokane Valley’s proposed 44th Avenue Pathway Project includes a bike lanes on each side of the street, a narrower footpath and improved safety features for pedestrians.
The revisions were made in the wake of a Feb. 28 open house attended by about 40 residents at which some voiced concerns about the original design’s trail width, safety, drainage, and landscaping features. Neighbors’ concerns influenced the city’s revised design for the $222,500 project.
“We tried to accommodate everyone’s suggestions in the new plan,” said Steve Stamatoplos, city engineering technician. “It truly helped us evolve this into a better design.”
Unveiled at an April 26 open house, the new design widens 44th Avenue with bike lanes added along both sides of the pavement. A narrower, 5-foot pathway meanders through the trees from Woodruff to Sands on the north side of 44th. West of Forest Meadows to Woodruff, a minor relocation of 44th five feet south from the current edge is proposed to increase the space between the roadway and the pathway.
The design narrows several existing intersections to increase pedestrian visibility and safety.
“Driver comfort is directly related to driver’s speed,” said Stamatoplos about the tendency for traffic to drive faster on wider roads. “Narrowing the intersection automatically reduces speeds.”
Along with altering the geometry of several intersections, the design features warning signs and striping at each intersection. Also under consideration is a flashing beacon on the corner of Schafer and 44th Avenue.
“Anything you can do to grab somebody’s attention to focus on maneuvers they have to do improves safety,” Stamatoplos said.
Though still not sold on the need for the trail, many residents who opposed the previous design said they preferred the newer layout.
“The alternative plan is more acceptable,” said Gail Stiltner. “But I feel as a taxpayer it’s not a good use of money. Even though its federal tax dollars, it’s still our dollars. This isn’t what we need. We need a road.”
“I like the updated version better,” said Gary Challender, who lives along the proposed trail. “I’d just as soon not to have any of it but I don’t have a choice.”
Other residents at the meeting expressed support for a walking trail.
“It will be a real asset to have something like this,” said Bob Hopkins, a nine-year resident of Ponderosa. “There is no place to walk on 44th. I would definitely use it.”
“We walk three times a week and don’t go down 44th very often because of the traffic,” added Shirley Pantalem. “With a trail we would make a bigger loop. It would make it safer for walkers.”
Though at the previous open house city officials said their rationale for the project was based on pedestrian safety concerns. At the latest meeting they said it was because of multiple requests made by Central Valley School District for “safe pedestrian facilities for students walking along 44th Avenue.”
The safety issues matched the criteria for a federal grant, and the city received $16,500 in 2006 to cover the design phase of the project. The city this month plans to apply for another grant to pay for construction, estimated at $222,500. Originally planned for summer 2008, the city hopes to begin construction in 2009. The construction delay coincides with Spokane County’s West Ponderosa sewer project.
In addition to the two open houses, the city accepted feedback and conducted a direct mail survey to more than 1,000 Ponderosa residents. The survey asked: “Do you support pedestrian and bicycle paths or lanes along 44th?” Four hundred and thirty-eight surveys were returned, with more than 55 percent responding “yes,” just over 31 percent opposed, and the remainder stating they were “not sure.”
“It was really worth doing the survey,” said Carolbelle Branch, city public information officer. “The community is so involved, and we wanted to represent the people as much as we can.”
City officials plan within the coming weeks to present both designs to the City Council, with a recommendation for approval of the preferred revised design. Should the council approve the proposal, preparation of a final design will include modifications to issues addressed at the most recent open house, with completion expected mid-May.