I am submitting this as a concerned citizen and as a spokesperson for the citizens on Bison Drive. If you review this map, view our photos, and videos and find this argument to be valid, then I would encourage you to support us on March 25th, 2014 when we stand in front of the city council, again, to plead our case. MAP cityofwilliston/usrfiles/PW/News/SOIA7002130019PublicHandout.pdf FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE Russell Larson Spokesperson 701 570 5251 Citizens concerned about safety as project moves forward. Williston, ND March 12, 2013 - A proposed underpass in western North Dakota have citizens concerned for their safety. Prior to being built, many concerned citizens have requested the city council review and review plans till a better solution can be found. These suggestions have been rebuffed, and now citizens believe they are being placed in harms way, just for the sake of the city to complete a project. The citizens point to a lack of access and exit routes to and from West Dakota Parkway, as being a major concern. As 18th street has been a major access point to West Dakota Parkway for as long as anyone can remember, they believe by cutting that access point off, this will greatly increase traffic accidents. Western North Dakota has already seen a surge in traffic fatalities, and when residents of Bison Drive and other concerned citizens spoke out at a public meeting, the were surprised when their concerns went ignored. Now, with plans approved by the NDDOT, it has some Williston residents asking, who will keep their best interests in mind in the future, if projects, such as this are planned and built, despite public objections. Currently, Williston is suffering a major housing crisis, yet the city plans to use $12 million dollars in funds, to construct an underpass, that forces traffic into residential areas, for a yet unreconstructed future roadway. A news report shows, the public spoke out against the project, but little more was reported in the news. As this news report shows: keyzradio/north-dakota-news-blog/69676 The citizens want to put a halt to the project, till a better and safer plan can devised. Prior to spending the $12 million dollars that is slated to build this project. By planning something more traffic friendly, they believe they would be able to save money and lives in the long run. The citizens plan, on March 25th, to plead their case before the full city council in a final bid to voice their safety and health concerns about the project. The citizens believe in growth and change, but believe but believe this plan is will do more harm then good. They believe adjustments to the project could be made to make it safer to the community and lessen traffic accidents. ~~end~ (Issue Outline, Photos, and Video) Issue to be submitted to City Council By reviewing the following the plan it is plain to see, that there is not access to West Dakota Parkway. This will increase the danger to traffic and citizens traveling through the underpass and upon 18th street. cityofwilliston/usrfiles/PW/NewsSOIA7002130019PublicHandout.pdf The citizens point to the following issues to be a major concern: ISSUE 1: Poor Access and Non-Improvement According to the Current Design, traffic upon 18th street will be blocked from accessing West Dakota parkway. No exit routs or emergency exits to side streets are provided. A small access road to the Wilkinson Track parking lot is, but this does not constitute a proper or adequate detour for traffic. The underpass has been suggested it will improve traffic flow, when no documentation or study has been provided to prove this point. Mr. Eric Bach has told us a 3-D rendering was done to review the flow of traffic, but the information was not in documented form. By not providing access to West Dakota Parkway, or proper exits, the city of Williston, ND and the NDDOT are placing lives in jeopardy and opening the door to more traffic accidents. ISSUES 2. FLOODING Underpasses all over the United States see flooding, no matter how well designed the underpasses have been. In Minot, Ray, Grand Forks, Dickinson, and even Bismarck, we see flooding to be a major issue that will not only stop the flow of traffic, but cause increased cost of repair and maintenance. This cost will be directly passed onto the residence of Williston, ND. Non-the less, once flooded, with no exits, the lives of people traveling the underpass will be placed in jeopardy. ISSUE 3. SNOW & ICE As in issue 1. Where there is water there is snow and ice in the wintertime. Snow and Ice with vehicles traveling under and over the pass will cause issues. Once again, causing increased danger to traffic and citizens. ISSUE 4. QUALITY OF LIFE The underpass will be detrimental to the life for the residents of Bison Drive. By increasing traffic, this area will see more damage to the residential roads. Once again, repair and maintenance cost will fall directly upon us. Also, this is a recreational area, and the increased hazards to youth and pedestrians will increase the likelihood of vehicle to vehicle accidents as well as vehicle to pedestrian accidents. ISSUE 5. TRASH AND GRAFFITI AND CRIME
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 10:11:48 +0000
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