HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/1/2018 Item 2, Moody
From:Liz Moody <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Laurel Lane Improvements
Importance:High
Dear SLO City Council:
I understand that the City is working on a resurfacing project for Laurel Lane.
My family lives on the corner of Laurel Lane and Johnson, my kids go to school at Sinsheimer, and I work on Southwood
Drive; therefore, it comes as no surprise that I use Laurel Lane a lot.
Over the last 13 years that I’ve lived and worked in this neighborhood, I’ve hoped that the City would take a look at
Laurel Lane and make some adjustments. Here’s why:
When walking to and from work and school, it is very dangerous crossing the street at the intersection
of Laurel and Augustus as well as the corner of Laurel and Southwood.
I’ve seen so many vehicles speed through the stop signs without stopping.
I’ve seen kids waiting at either corner hoping that the cars will stop so they can cross. Some kids aren’t
tall enough to be seen over the front of a car – and they are literally taking their life in their own hands
trying to decide when is safest to cross.
Even with the crossing guard out in the morning at the corner of Laurel and Augustus I’ve seen cars not
stop at this corner.
It is worse at night and in the early morning. Laurel Lane is extremely dark. It is very difficult to see
pedestrians as they are crossing in the cross walks.
With the resurfacing project in the future, the City will be making a smart investment by taking this opportunity to
further improve this neighborhood to include features to make the street safer and more complete.
Here are some alternatives to create a safer and more complete street:
1. Make the intersections safer.
Stripe the existing crosswalks as high-visibility crosswalks
Sidewalk bulb outs at the intersections of Laurel/Southwood and Laurel/Augusta
Install a light at the intersection of Laurel and Augusta and/or Laurel and Southwood.
i. When walking to and from work and school, it is very dangerous crossing the street at the
intersection of Laurel and Augustus as well as the corner of Laurel and Southwood.
ii. I’ve seen so many vehicles speed through the stop signs without stopping.
iii. I’ve seen kids waiting at either corner hoping that the cars will stop so they can cross. Some kids
aren’t tall enough to be seen over the front of a car – and they are literally taking their life in
their own hands trying to decide when is safest to cross.
iv. Even with the crossing guard out in the morning at the corner of Laurel and Augustus I’ve seen
cars not stop at this corner.
Install more lighting.
i. It is worse at night and in the early morning. Laurel Lane is extremely dark. It is very difficult to
see pedestrians as they are crossing in the cross walks.
2. Slow the speed of traffic.
1
Reduce travel lanes to one in each direction
Install two-way center turn lane
3. Bike Safety.
Install buffers between the travel lane and bicycle lane
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Liz Moody
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