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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 24, 2018)
6 A SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018 Roadside from 1A She continued, “What we wanted to do with the pedestri- an crossing signs is to call attention to the drivers that it was more likely that someone would be crossing there because one of the sidewalks is closed on the bridge.” The sign is located at Barrett Creek Lane, the first intersec- tion south of the highway. While the sign does notify driv- ers that pedestrians may be crossing, it does not clearly communicate to the pedestrians themselves where they should cross. “You have to travel a number of yards north just to find a place to cross,” Stewart said. “Most people just cross at the bridge. I haven’t been hit yet, but I can’t explain to you how many times I’ve almost been hit.” But crossing at the bridge can be dangerous because of the limited sight distance driv- ers have, according to Beers Seydel. “Part of the reason they chose to put the signs where they did at Barrett Creek Lane was specifically because it had the best sight distance. It was one of the legal crossings, but we definitely wanted to give people as much sight as possi- ble,” she said. But even with the best line of sight, getting across the high- way in a timely manner can be difficult. “I’m extremely athletic and I’m telling you, I have a hard time crossing in time,” Stewart said. Beers Seydel is aware of the prob- lems facing pedes- trians right now due to the con- struction, stating ODOT is monitor- ing the situation closely. “We’re continu- ing to look at it,” she said. “It takes a long time to work through and get decisions on things.” Some of the safety decisions that ODOT could implement include more signs, flash- ing signs and additional flag- ging. But a full investigation on JARED ANDERSON/SIUSLAW NEWS what is exactly Vehicles entering Siuslaw River Bridge from the south have a limited field of view. Pedestrians face needed could take a number of obstacles — some due to ODOT construction and some due to vehicle speeds, the up to a month to slope of Highway 101 and the lack of lights and crosswalks. complete. ically you have people who the line racing up the high- “This is why we’re going to urges caution. “Please be very, very care- feel like they can get on their way,” Stewart said. continue to monitor the area,” ful,” she said. “And we would gas pedal really hard and race He believes the best way to Beers Seydel said. “We don’t tell our folks who travel up the hill,” he said. avoid this would be to reduce want to see people in harm’s through this area that there “Basically, the speed should be the speed limit. To do that, way, but it also becomes a part- may be pedestrians and watch reduced.” Beers Seydel suggests the com- nership with our community of for the signs.” Because of the speeds, munity get involved. people recognizing that right But the issues facing the Stewart notices a lot of drivers “The first step is always peo- now, because the sidewalk is south side of the bridge are not going over the white lines, put- ple coming forward and saying closed, there may be more peo- limited to construction, ting pedestrians who are stay- they see a need. One of the ple crossing.” according to Stewart. While ing out of the road in danger. However, not everyone who travels Highway 101 is a part of the sidewalks will eventually In some portions of the road, the local community. From be open, the speed limit will particularly when exiting the bridge, space can be tight. sightseers traveling up the coast remain the same. “When you’re leaving out of “People drive by me and my in their RVs to semi trucks bar- town, heading south, the kids near the bridge and flip us reling down the highway to minute you leave the 40 mph off and act like we’re way out deliver goods, the dangers of bridge, 45 mph is the first sign of place, but we’re walking in the area can often go unseen. that anybody sees. So automat- the dirt and they’re way over Because of this, Beers Seydel MOVING SALE! Fri-Sat 1/26-1/27, 9am-5pm, 4020 Munsel Creek Dr., China hutch, W/D, 70” TV w/Stand, fountains, refrigerator, arts & craft supplies, & paintings by Carol Hillsbery. places they can go with that is the Lane Area Commission on Transportation. That sort of commission is where people typically go to and say, ‘We see a problem.’ The commission looks at the local issues and takes them up to the state, and that’s how ODOT looks at var- ious ways we may fund a proj- ect.” Beers Seydel suggested that if anyone has concerns about the long-term safety of the south corridor, they can con- tact the Lane Area Commission on Transportation to make per- manent changes. In the meantime, Beers Seydel and Stewart hope that the community will look out for each other until more per- manent solutions can be found. “My biggest thing is if peo- ple could just please read the signs and respect the lines, it would save a lot of lives,” Stewart said. Editors note: Siuslaw News has had several community members ask if there has been a fund set up to help the fam- ily of Heather Sanford, the 28-year-old mother of four who was struck and killed just south of the bridge. 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