Assistant Metropolis Engineer Bob Heady shares his research expertise throughout the Streets and Transportation Committee Thursday in Marietta. (Picture by James Dobbs)
The Metropolis of Marietta Streets and Transportation Committee met with a number of involved residents to debate the Par Mar Site visitors Research.
Marietta Metropolis Councilman Geoff Schenkel, a member of the committee, started the dialogue by saying that as a district councilman for the world, he believes there have been omissions within the research.
“I’m asking for the inclusion of Franklin (Road) and Virginia Road, which is the one marked exit on the freeway that directs you to the west aspect, the place I consider many of the site visitors into the neighborhood is coming from and doubtless will. it’s nonetheless the most important funnel getting into Par Mar, however it was not included within the research as we requested it a number of instances since early January.” he mentioned.
Schenkel mentioned that till these streets are added to the research, he does not suppose they’ve a legitimate set of data to make a superb choice.
He mentioned that based mostly on a research of site visitors speeds within the space, they’ve recorded automobiles leaving the highway onto Virginia Road at 65 mph on a road the place the velocity restrict is 25 mph. He mentioned that folks in wheelchairs cross the road at this location.
“We can not transfer ahead with main modifications like this with out taking security measures to account for the inflow of site visitors, notably on Virginia, Franklin and Putnam Avenues.” he mentioned. “That every one our research already inform us our issues even earlier than the rise in site visitors begins. Due to this fact, I can not consciously transfer ahead with a improvement venture after I don’t see any written intention to do something relating to the areas that we’ve got been asking the town to do one thing about for 5 years, since 2018.”
Bob Heady, assistant metropolis engineer, defined that the research will assist present suggestions for modifications round Gilman Avenue in site visitors move and the doorway to the Par Mar facility. He agreed that Franklin and Virginia ought to have been examined within the research.
Par Mar is seeking to the west aspect of Marietta and plans to develop its headquarters, in addition to a gasoline station and comfort retailer on the nook of Gilman and Putnam avenues, within the former Peoples Financial institution parking zone.
Councilwoman Susan Boyer, chair of the committee, requested request be made so as to add to or modify the prevailing site visitors research to incorporate Franklin and Virginia streets.
The committee then opened the dialogue to the general public.
Marietta citizen Jane Barnhouse mentioned with the arrival of Par Mar, Marietta might want to implement extra site visitors security practices.
“I believe it will be a terrific factor, however it will be a time for individuals to get used to it,” she mentioned. “And I believe that is a bonus for Marietta, for the Westside.”
Donna Balachowski mentioned Franklin Road is already a harmful space for wheelchairs to cross and including extra site visitors to that space will make issues tougher.
“That is one thing we do not want,” she mentioned. “I like my life, I want to stay… extra site visitors, extra issues, extra accidents, extra of the whole lot. It isn’t simply individuals in wheelchairs on that nook, it will find yourself being youngsters and pedestrians of any form.”
In different enterprise, Ari Gold, a neighborhood enterprise proprietor, approached the committee to speak about litter on Marietta’s streets and dumpsters. Gold requested the committee to contact the rubbish assortment firm and ask them to maneuver the 10 dumpsters within the alley between Entrance Road and Second Road to the alley at the back of Unique Pizza Place, the place there’s already a line. of rubbish containers.
