Councilman Says "Somebody's Going to Get Killed"

Fairhope, Alabama

Dangerous Pine Ave./Section St. intersection

TRAFFIC SAFETY CONCERNS MOUNTING

Cathy Fernandez
A Fairhope resident brought her concerns about traffic issues in the downtown area especially to the city council recently: Cathy Fernadez said she was nearly hit by a speeding car as she attempted to turn out onto Section Street from Pine Avenue.

She said vision is being impaired by parked cars at this and other intersections downtown; delivery trucks often block streets as well.

Fernandez wanted to know what is being done to address such safety issues including:

* Status of the back-in parking experiment on Johnson Avenue?
* Status of the city's Street and Traffic Control Committee?
* Status of the "Creating a Vision and Plan for Improved Parking" study?
* Parking plans for the new 'Portico' project, a potential bottleneck/hazard at the post office?


COUNCILMAN AGREES

Equality at Section Streets
Agreeing there is a problem there, councilman Robert Brown said he had asked the candidates for police chief about it during interviews at the previous meeting; Brown cited a severe  instance of speeding on Morphy Avenue he personally witnessed.

Brown: "Somebody's going to get killed." 

Most of the candidates for chief replied it would take cooperation by the mayor, council, and chief to effectively address the problems.

Fernandez could bring her concerns to the city's Bike and Pedestrian committee as well, he said.


PROPOSALS  FOR SOLUTIONS COMING

Bancroft at Fairhope Ave.
Public Works director Johnson and Community Affairs Director Botop said plans for remedies are in the works;  they hope to bring them to the council for consideration and approval shortly.

Removing parking spaces at intersections to improve visibility, speed calming devices, and pedestrian "safety strips" are some things being considered, Johnson said.

The reverse angle parking on Johnson Ave. has only been semi-successful so far.

A plan to increase usage of the parking garage is just beginning to be implemented, according to Botop.

Reverse angle parking problematic

INTERSECTION MODIFICATION STUDY SHELVED

 A 2015 engineering study to improve the city's worst intersections has never been completely implemented (click).

The city's automatic speed indicator trailer is broken again, according to police department sources.




Video of speeding on Fairhope Avenue:





Comments

Anonymous said…
The intersection at Oak and Section is a nightmare to get out of. Visibility is terrible due to Colony Cemetery and the parking on Section Street by Civic Center. People do not seem to realize that the speed limit there from Gayfer on is 25 MPH, not just during school hour zones. Have sat there for as much as 10 minutes waiting to get out. Me thinks the city has gotten too big for it's britches. No one likes traffic signals, but with the influx of more traffic, they need to implement some.
Anonymous said…
I don't think speed is all the issue here. Fairhope is not the small, quiet little town anymore. We have more and more traffic and our little streets won't handle it all. Just wait until that development on Fairhope Avenue east of the Post Office gets complete.Everyone is worried about Greeno Road is going to turn into Airport Blvd. Maybe if they (the city) allowed more development there for restaurants and retail, it would take some slack off of our narrow, antiquated city streets.
Anonymous said…
This is not a new problem, but thanks much to Councilman Robert Brown for agreeing that it IS a problem. The Council has never appeared to care. I walk my dog on both Morphy and White (White is worse than Morphy for speeding, IMHO). I am not sure that the mobile speed monitor matters on these streets; it would be extremely profitable for the city to station unmarked cars on Fels, Morphy and White during most hours of the day to hit the habitual speeders. I have noticed since we have a new Police Chief that there are cars on Church and on Fels at random times......I couldn't be happier. I am proud of the new Police Chief and the Council for finally addressing speeding!
Anonymous said…
there used to be no parking signs and stripes at all intersections to allow for visibility but the merchants constant complaining for more parking got them removed
Anonymous said…
Get the police on the street , make them visible and start writing tickets. Take a note from the Daphnie police
Anonymous said…
if it requires cooperation by the mayor and council it ain't going to happen with this group!
Anonymous said…
The largest issue is the narrowing of streets to accommodate bike paths ,lack of signage and law enforcement.The cross form Morphy to Fairhope ave of Mershon ave is a race way.
Anonymous said…
Roads are supposed to be designed for the efficient movement of motorized vehicles and safety. Fhope has re-designed the downtown streets to maximize tourist dollars for the merchants and add another title to their ego belt with the complete streets program. In reality they have stymied traffic created unsafe conditions for both pedestrians and traffic and become a joke in the community by creating a cluster&*#.
Anonymous said…
Petties would not enforce traffic laws. Just give out more tickets to slow people down, yield to pedestrians and cyclists. Make streets safe for everyone not just cars!
Anonymous said…
All this group of politicains does is do favors for their friends and campaign contributers like the new traffic signal on 98 at south drive. a shame!
Anonymous said…
Bikes cause many problems down town and all around. They do not abide by the laws, and really need to ticketed also.
Anonymous said…
Pedestrians and cyclists are just road kill for some of these ignorant sothern rednecks around here.
Anonymous said…
More officers are needed.