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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 19, 2021)
PAGE A2, KEIZERTIMES, FEBRUARY 19, 2021 Virtual ‘open house’ for Wheatland improvements By ERIC A. HOWALD Of the Keizertimes If you drive, walk, bike, bus, live or work along Wheatland Road North, the City of Keiz- er wants to hear from you. Keizer Public Works and the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments (MWVCOG) are hosting a virtual open house on possible changes. “Public participation is a critical element in the study, as we want to know what residents of Keizer and oth- er stakeholders believe are the priority issues and needs along the corridor,” said Mike Jaffee, transportation planning direc- tor at MWVCOG. Residents can view infor- mation on existing conditions and possible improvements at: tinyurl.com/WheatlandRd. There is a link to a survey res- idents can use to respond with their thoughts on potential projects. The information is available now and residents can offer comments for the next few weeks. The goal of the Wheatland Road Corridor Study is to de- velop a multimodal corridor plan and conceptual street de- sign that removes barriers for all modes of travel, considers the latest urban safety improve- ments for pedestrians, bicycles, and transit facilities while cre- ating an enjoyable experience for all users. The project will cover Wheatland Road North from River Road North to Jays Drive North, roughly 1.8 miles in length. The initial study notes that the existing design works well for traffi c, but has limited in- frastructure for bikes and poor uniformity in the areas where it does. Only one intersection was rated “good” for pedestrian traffi c. All others are tabbed as KEIZERTIMES/Eric A. Howald Possible improvements to Wheatland Road North, such as fi ll- ing in sidewalk gaps, are one of many potential options under discussion. “poor.” Filling in sidewalk gaps and adding street lights are sug- gested, especially because stu- dents use the route to walk to and from bus stops. Cycling conditions are rated “fair” throughout most of the area, but separated or buffered bike lanes are suggested. The plans include an option for a multi-use path that would solve the needs of walkers and riders. Other issues the project is expected to address include poor street lighting, visibility and potentially dangerous bus stops. There were a total of 54 crashes between 2014 and 2018, but none were fatal and only one resulted in serious in- jury. Nearly half of the crashes were rear-enders. The most common loca- tion of crashes were at Russett Drive North and Wheatland Road as vehicles slowed to turn left on Wheatland Road. The suggested remedy is to place a northbound left turn lane at that point. Other topics covered in the study include public transit options, including a note that there are no covered stops on Wheatland Road. police scanner SUNDAY, FEB. 7 12:58 a.m. - Criminal mischief in the 2000 block of Latona Drive NE. 3 a.m. - Strangulation in the 1000 block of Ventura Avenue N. 9:50 a.m. - Robbery in the 6000 block of River Road NE. 10:39 a.m. - Theft in the 5000 block of Briarwood Circle N. 1:24 p.m. - Unlawful entry to ve- hicle in the 4000 block of 13th Avenue N. MONDAY, FEB. 8 3:44 a.m. - Burglary in the 700 block of Plymouth Drive NE. 10 a.m. - Theft in the 500 block of Linda Avenue NE. 11:56 a.m. - Restraining order vi- olation in the 5000 block of 10th Avenue NE. 3:59 p.m. - Fatal traffi c accident in the 3000 block of River Road N.* 7:13 p.m. - Theft in the 4000 block of 12th Avenue NE. 11 p.m. - Vandalism in the 2000 block of Kennedy Circle NE. mawa Road NE. 6 p.m. - Theft in the 3000 block of Partridge Lane NE. THURSDAY, FEB. 11 TUESDAY, FEB. 9 12:01 a.m. - Unlawful entry to vehicle in the 5000 block of Has- brook Avenue NE. 5:34 a.m. - Motor vehicle theft in the 4000 block of Verda Lane NE. 6:58 p.m. - Criminal trespassing in the 3000 block of River Road N. 8:28 p.m. - Telephonic harassment in the 200 block of Churchdale Avenue N. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 10 9:21 a.m. - Vandalism in the 6000 block of Keizer Station Blvd. 3:51 p.m. - Burglary in the 800 block of Foothill Court NE. 5:27 p.m. - Possession of stolen vehicle in the 900 block of Che- 3:37 p.m. - Criminal trespassing in the 4000 block of River Road N. 7:39 p.m. - Criminal mischief in the 3000 block of River Road N. FRIDAY, FEB. 12 4:45 p.m. - Theft in the 100 block of Homewood Court N. 7:34 p.m. - Shoplifting in the 4000 block of River Road N. * While reported as a fatal traffi c accident, the driver in this incident suffered a medical emergency while backing out of a parking space and into another vehicle. After the crash, the female driver exited the vehicle and collapsed. She succumbed to the medical emergency after transport to Salem Hospital. Because the driver was technically operating a motor ve- hicle, the incident must be reported as a fatal crash per DMV rules. Special enrollment period opens at healthcare.gov Those needing health in- surance can now enroll as part of a COVID-19 special en- rollment period, which lasts until May 15, 2021. The special enrollment period will allow people throughout the United States, including Oregonians, who are looking for health cover- age to shop at HealthCare.gov. The enrollment period is available to everyone, not just those who have experienced a life-changing event. Until May 15, any person who is eligible to shop through the marketplace may enroll in new coverage or change their current plan. Individuals making $51,040 or less per year, and families of four making $104,800 or less, may get help paying for coverage. In 2020, more than seven in 10 Oregonians who chose plans through Health- Care.gov got fi nancial help for monthly premiums and out- of-pocket costs. The savings lowered the average premium to just $145 per month.