TOWN STAFF REPORT RECCOMENDATIONS
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Discuss and give staff direction on possible improvements to the crosswalk crossing at Ottinger Road near Westlake Academy; and take appropriate action (Wade Carroll, Town Manager)
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STAFF: Wade Carroll, Town Manager
BACKGROUND:
During the October 9th Council meeting Mayor Kilbride stated that he had received several complaints about close calls between vehicles and pedestrians at the crosswalk in front of Westlake Academy in the early morning hours while the cross country team was training. The mayor has asked that we look at adding a tunnel under Ottinger Road to increase the safety of the students and athletes. The cross-country team runs each morning south on Ottinger Road and utilizes the crosswalk to transitions from the West side of Ottinger to the East side of Ottinger Road as the walking path transitions in the same manner. Staff spoke with the Athletic Director who had a meeting with the Cross Country Coach to ensure that safety measures are being adhered to. The safety plan is as follows: the Cross Country Team is required to cross Ottinger Road as a group and must wait when leaving the school and when returning to the school after their run until all students are accounted for and at the crosswalk and they cross together. Coaches stand in the roadway to ensure that vehicles stop for the athletes. The crosswalk signal is activated, and once traffic is stopped the students are allowed to cross. All students were issued blinking lights to wear on their person while training in the dark. The current crosswalk warning devices include a stripped crosswalk, signalization (blinking yellow lights and a crosswalk sign) at the crosswalk facing both directions of traffic and a second set of signals that are approximately 58ft. to the south of the crosswalk and 161 ft. north of the crosswalk in the middle of the "S" curve prior to approaching the sidewalk from the north.
DISCUSSION:
Staff met with Teague Na...
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