Fairhope, Alabama
fairhopetimes@att.net
RE-SURFACING PROJECT
Baldwin Trailblazers President Valery Wiseman De Laney asked at the last council meeting if the city's Complete Streets policy (to improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians) will be applied to Fairhope Ave -- from Bancroft to Hwy 181 -- when resurfacing begins shortly.
(The resurfacing will be mostly financed by the state's ATRIP grant program.)
De Laney: "Its vital ... a real important corridor ... to connect the four lane to downtown ... and to the new BRATS station ... Has there been a plan? A vote?"
Council President Burrell advised Delaney that the council had not seen any plans yet -- and was currently only considering an item to allow the mayor to negotiate fees with Thompson Engineering for the project.
CALLED A "MESS" NEAR POST OFFICE
Mayor Kant said he had a preliminary meeting with the likely engineers and informed them of the policy -- and expected pavement would be widened (east of Greeno) as far as the money allowed to allow room for bikes to share the road; and that curbs and gutters will be installed at the Hwy 181 intersection -- as well as pedestrian landings and crossing signals.
(A sidewalk extension all the way out to Walmart is also in the engineering planning stages.)
The stretch from Greeno to Bancroft is to receive special consideration, especially the 4 lane portion in the vicinity of the post office.
Kant: "Its a mess ... by the post office."
Kant added he had not seen the drawing yet for the city's first roundabout -- to be installed at the Hwy 13 intersection.
Delaney: "So ... they have been informed ... .You do hope to incorporate Complete Streets?"
Kant: "... they have been informed."
Burrell reiterated the engineers would not start drawing plans until their "fee schedule" was negotiated.
De Laney: "... just wanted to be sure .. it was still part of the plan."
(Note: An item to accept the engineer's fee appears on the Mar 6th council agenda.)
SUPPORT FROM PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE
At its Feb. meeting, the Pedestrian and Bike Trails Committee discussed the issue; and it was their understanding bike lanes (or sharrows) would be incorporated all the way from Bancroft Ave. east to the new BRATS station -- and the road's shoulders widened the rest of the way out to Hwy 181.
Committee Chairperson Molly Peterson said their committee was supposed to help educate the public about Complete Streets -- and she wished it could be included more in the planning discussions.
They also discussed designs and possible locations for (10 - 15) new bicycle racks to be placed around town; and expanding their bike valet service during the upcoming Arts and Crafts Festival.
This committee was formed in 2009 (click).
MORE FEDERAL GRANTS APPLIED FOR
Federal TAP (Transportation Alternative Program) grants to make pedestrian improvements to Fairhope Ave. intersections (at Brown St. and Fairwood Ave.) were applied for early last year -- but have yet to materialize (click).
Sources say most of the available money went to Foley, this cycle.
RE-SURFACING PROJECT
Baldwin Trailblazers President Valery Wiseman De Laney asked at the last council meeting if the city's Complete Streets policy (to improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians) will be applied to Fairhope Ave -- from Bancroft to Hwy 181 -- when resurfacing begins shortly.
(The resurfacing will be mostly financed by the state's ATRIP grant program.)
De Laney: "Its vital ... a real important corridor ... to connect the four lane to downtown ... and to the new BRATS station ... Has there been a plan? A vote?"
Council President Burrell advised Delaney that the council had not seen any plans yet -- and was currently only considering an item to allow the mayor to negotiate fees with Thompson Engineering for the project.
CALLED A "MESS" NEAR POST OFFICE
Mayor Kant said he had a preliminary meeting with the likely engineers and informed them of the policy -- and expected pavement would be widened (east of Greeno) as far as the money allowed to allow room for bikes to share the road; and that curbs and gutters will be installed at the Hwy 181 intersection -- as well as pedestrian landings and crossing signals.
(A sidewalk extension all the way out to Walmart is also in the engineering planning stages.)
The stretch from Greeno to Bancroft is to receive special consideration, especially the 4 lane portion in the vicinity of the post office.
Kant: "Its a mess ... by the post office."
Kant added he had not seen the drawing yet for the city's first roundabout -- to be installed at the Hwy 13 intersection.
Delaney: "So ... they have been informed ... .You do hope to incorporate Complete Streets?"
Kant: "... they have been informed."
Burrell reiterated the engineers would not start drawing plans until their "fee schedule" was negotiated.
De Laney: "... just wanted to be sure .. it was still part of the plan."
(Note: An item to accept the engineer's fee appears on the Mar 6th council agenda.)
SUPPORT FROM PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE
At its Feb. meeting, the Pedestrian and Bike Trails Committee discussed the issue; and it was their understanding bike lanes (or sharrows) would be incorporated all the way from Bancroft Ave. east to the new BRATS station -- and the road's shoulders widened the rest of the way out to Hwy 181.
Committee Chairperson Molly Peterson said their committee was supposed to help educate the public about Complete Streets -- and she wished it could be included more in the planning discussions.They also discussed designs and possible locations for (10 - 15) new bicycle racks to be placed around town; and expanding their bike valet service during the upcoming Arts and Crafts Festival.
This committee was formed in 2009 (click).
MORE FEDERAL GRANTS APPLIED FOR
Federal TAP (Transportation Alternative Program) grants to make pedestrian improvements to Fairhope Ave. intersections (at Brown St. and Fairwood Ave.) were applied for early last year -- but have yet to materialize (click).
Sources say most of the available money went to Foley, this cycle.
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