HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/6/2024 Item 6a, G. Otto (2)
Garrett Otto <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Re: Item 6a - Please make Broad safer
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I have received the staff memo regarding the South Broad Corridor and want to provide a couple additional comments.
In the past couple of budget cycles I wrote letters to council indicating that increase in staff funding around
transportation projects are much needed in order to take on the forecasted infrastructure projects. I think I have made
the ask a few times whenever surplus funding is available. It is apparent that staffing limitations are often the barrier to
even getting projects started. I highly recommend you put the necessary funds towards new staff positions as this is not
a one time project that will need more staff. There are still a lot of Tier 1 projects to be designed/built and many times
insufficient resources means that the Tier 2 and 3 projects are not implemented with each resealing effort.
Also, I have seen such high investment in vehicle specific infrastrucutre being made recently. If we are going to create
the mode shift opportunity we need to be willing to spend equally on those other transportation options. Though $30M
was indicated for ATP elements, please consider the amount of vehicle specific infrastructure and roadway repairs that
far exceed this amount. We will make little headway on roadway safety and transporation alternatives if the vast
majority of funding is always dedicated to single occupant vehicle infrastructure.
Please allocate necessary funding for staffing and consulting as suggested in the staff memo.
Thank you,
Garrett Otto
On Mon, Feb 5, 2024 at 11:28 AM Garrett Otto <garrettotto@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Council,
I am writing to request that you allocate funding for engineering safety improvements along the South Broad St
corridor between downtown and Tank Farm per the ATP and South Broad Street Area Plan. As a confident and skilled
rider, I still avoid this stretch by bike for safety reasons, but for many residents, that is not practical or feasible. High
vehicle traffic, high speeds, and too many turning conflicts pose serious and life threatening risks to those who need or
want to walk and bike.
Engineering for South Higuera and Foothill are underway and have already taken a couple of years, and who knows
when construction will be started or completed for either of those. South Broad Street is a high ranking Tier 1 corridor
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listed in the ATP. Considering how long these projects are taking, it's prudent to get them moving sooner than later if
we want to meet our vision zero, transportation, equity, and climate goals.
Please allocate necessary funding to get this process started.
Sincerely
Garrett Otto
San Luis Obispo
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