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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 21, 2018)
8 A SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2018 Traffic from 1A “All of us applying to this grant are playing on the same playing field,” Miller said. “We’re all using the same crash data from 2011 to 2015, or 2012 to 2016.” In those years, Miller and ODOT identified the intersec- tion of Kingwood and Ninth streets as a “hotspot,” or a spe- cific location, like intersections or corners, where there have been fatalities or serious injuries. “Technically, there are higher than normal crash rates,” Miller said. “Our one hot spot is at Ninth and Kingwood streets. It is the intersection that had the most accidents in the timeframe of 2011 and 2015. There were 13 accidents, and one serious. Most of the crashes were from turning at the wrong angle.” More specifically, these included accidents when the driver did not have right of way, disregarded the stop sign on Ninth Street, followed another vehicle too closely, improperly changed lanes, was inattentive or made a turn into oncoming traffic. Miller also said an area that could use the “systemic approach” for safety improve- ments is the entire Kingwood Street corridor. These are low- cost countermeasures that can be widely implemented to reduce fatalities and serious injuries. This could include improving sight clearance, installing street lights, increasing pedestrian crossing visibility, adding flash beacons and increasing bike lane awareness. “From Second Street up to 35th, there were 25 accidents on Kingwood Street between January 2011 and December 2015, including the 13 acci- dents at Ninth Street,” Miller said. “It’s interesting as we have a mixed-bag of different crash- es. It was everything from angle, to turning, to hitting a fixed object.” Miller suggested that ARTS grant funds could go toward systemic improvements along Kingwood or a circular traffic safety concept — “in other words, a roundabout.” The new traffic pattern could fit within the intersection at Kingwood and Ninth, he said, with only minor adjustments at the corners of the surrounding lots. “The beauty of a circular traffic calming device is that it keeps the traffic in motion,” Miller said. “This concept allows free movement and allows the dominant leg (of traffic) to be dominant.” He said that changing the traffic pattern to a traffic light or four-way stop was not advis- able, as it doesn’t keep the traf- fic moving. In addition, the roundabout could have an open area that could feature colorful pavers — which will likely be a compo- nent of the upcoming Highway 101 ReVision Streetscaping Project — as well as public art. Miller said the raised mount- able curve approach, highlight- ed by pavers, included in the design would help emergency response vehicles “clip over the top” of the central island and drive straight through. Councilor Joshua Greene said he was glad the program could have “an actual art side to it.” Miller agreed. “A roundabout or circular traffic safety concept could play off art, especially in the center. That is pretty popular in other communities,” he said. Councilor Ron Preisler expressed concern about of adding a roundabout to Florence and did not think it was the correct solution. “Older people in our commu- nity may not have very much history of using them, and I can envision people going around the roundabout and creating more of a problem,” he said. “It’s an educational experience, and if you’ve driven in them in other (areas), they’re not easy to get used to.” Councilor Susy Lacer coun- tered his points. “I think that the very first roundabout in any community is difficult, and there is a learn- ing curve. Everyone has to fig- ure out how to navigate it, but other communities have done it,” she said. “If you look at the research, they are such an effec- tive way of dealing with prob- lem intersections. I think a roundabout is a good call for this particular intersection, and I have the utmost faith in our citizens that they will figure out how to navigate it.” Mayor Joe Henry said he’s driven on complicated round- abouts in London that were challenging, but he also was sure people could figure it out. Greene said, “I have driven all over the world, and in Europe particularly, where roundabouts have been there since the beginning of time. They don’t use the four-way stop sign; it’s a yield, you go in, you watch traffic, you use your indicator. The idea is that the traffic will flow more readily to allow more flow of traffic with- out having to stop and wait.” He encouraged engineers to look at multiple examples when creating the design. “We’re also looking at 2022, which is a long time down the road,” Greene said. According to Miller, Oregon’s Region 2 — consist- ing of 25 percent of the state’s highway miles and covering the Willamette Valley, the north and central coast, the Coast Range and the Cascade Pass, including the counties of Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, Yamhill, Polk, Marion, Lincoln, Benton, Linn, Lane and the western por- tion of Washington County — will receive 35.7 percent of the STIP funding, or approximately $10.4 million per year for three years. Any approved ARTS Program project will require a 7.78 percent local match. Miller said he and city staff are working with ODOT to cre- ate a competitive package, and that they do not have a cost esti- mate for the project or the city’s match. The brief grant applica- tion period only runs the months of April and May. The four councilors in atten- dance approved the resolution to apply for the grant. For more information on the City of Florence and its roads, the community is invited to attend an open house on the final design of ReVision Florence on Tuesday, April 25, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St. Visit ci.florence.or.us for more infor- mation. DENTURE SERVICES INC. BUD’S UPHOLSTERY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED Boat Tops & Cars Open 4 days a week! • Complete Auto & Boat Interiors • Canvas Work Here to serve your denture needs: Dentures Partial Dentures Immediate Dentures Implant Dentures Relines & Repairs Same Day William Foster LD Sherry, Offi ce Manager 10 am-6 pm Mon-Sat. “As a denture wearer myself, I can answer your questions and address your denture concerns.” ~ William Foster, LD Monday-Thursday 10am - 2 pm Be ready for Summer. We’re booking appointments now! 524 Laurel St. 541-997-6054 Over 41 yrs Experien ce 4981 Hwy. 101, Complex B Financing: Citi Health Card 12 Month no Interest 541-997-4856 THIS WEEK COAST ON THE A W EEKLY L ISTING OF C OMMUNITY E VENTS IN THE F LORENCE A REA S UBMIT ALL E VENTS I NFORMATION VIA E MAIL TO P RESS R ELEASES @T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM Thursdays through May 24 New Testament Class on St. Matthew Taught by Joel Marks, adjunct professor of American History 6:30 to 8 p.m. Open to public; refreshments served Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Auditions for “Grey Gardens” 2 to 4 p.m. Open to public Class Act Theatre Last Resort Players holds Auditions for “Grey Gardens” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to public Class Act Theatre April 21 Annual Bahá’í Ridvan Festival Celebrating diversity in music, poetry, dance, prayer and storytelling Open to public Florence Playhouse 208 Laurel St. “What’s New With Oregon’s Sanctuary Statute Petition” With Cynthia Kendoll 2 to 3:30 p.m. Open to public Patriot Place, 175 Nopal St. www.PatriotPlaceFlorence.com Boat Safety Inspections With Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 52 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to public Breen Marine 4390 Highway 101 Vision Quest presents “Bring the Wild Alive” With Cascades Raptor Center 10 to 10:45 a.m. Open to public Siuslaw Public Library Vision Quest presents “Raptors Up Close and Personal” With Cascades Raptor Center 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Open to public Siuslaw Public Library janetlwellington@gmail.com Annual Shred Day Hosted by Oregon Pacific Bank 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oregon Pacific Bank, 1365 Highway 101 April 23 Bahá’í Community Presents ‘Happening’ Documentary 12:30 and 6:30 p.m. showings Free to the public — no tickets required City Lights Cinemas April 22 Vision Quest presents “Bird- watching for Beginners” 10 a.m. Open to public; $5 parking or pass required Siltcoos Recreation Area Spring Kindergarten Pre-Registration, Meet & Greet 6 to 7 p.m. Open to parents and 2018-19 kinder- garten students (Who are 5 years old on or before Sept. 1) Siuslaw Elementary School Florence Ukulele Club “The Flukes” 1:30 p.m. — Beginners 3 p.m. — Song Circle for all levels Loaner ukuleles available Siuslaw Public Library Alva Bracey April 24 Author Chat with Jennifer Chambers “Abigail Scott Dunaway and Susan B. Anthony in Oregon” 1 to 2 p.m. Open to public Siuslaw Public Library Expect excellent service when you buy or list with me. ReVision Florence Open House Public review of final designs for new Highway 101 corridor 4 to 6:30 p.m. Open to public Florence Events Center Free Economic Literacy Seminar With "Free Market Warrior" Loren Spivack 5 to 8:30 p.m. Patriot Place, 175 Nopal St. www.PatriotPlaceFlorence.com West Lane Translator Meeting 6 p.m. Open to public Siuslaw Public Library April 26 Florence Green Movie Series: “Wasted” 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Free with donation to Food Share City Lights Cinemas Florence Pub Talks Cell: 541-505-1180 Alva@CBCoast.com Call 541-997-8104, Florence Antiques & Coast Jewelers 541-997-7777 100 Hwy. 101, Florence, OR COAST REAL ESTATE CUSTOM ENGRAVING & CUTTING jmirvis@charter.net Florence, Oregon Patriot Place presents Candidate Sam Carpenter Republican candidate for governor 1 to 3 p.m. Patriot Place, 175 Nopal St. www.PatriotPlaceFlorence.com Dowsing Workshop with John Stead Time TBA Open to public Siuslaw Public Library Visit rivercal.org for more calendar events. Private Lessons in Florence for Ages 6-Adult. Auto, Home, Life, Business Flood, Antique Auto, RV’s Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Supplements Health Insurance Member MTNA and OMTA Phone (541) 997-9497 1234 Rhododendron Dr / Florence Call or Email 520.850.3563 maryjo3663@msn.com m CCB# 55030 County Transfer & Recycling 541-997-5691 541-361-9080 FlorenceFest ‘18 Noon to 8 p.m. Tickets required Florence Events Center Teacher-Pianist Accompanist April 28 Mary Morganti Awards • Plaques • Name Badges Gifts • Signage • Glassware FlorenceFest ‘18 2 to 8 p.m. Tickets required Florence Events Center MM Piano Studio We buy, sell and consign quality estate/heirloom jewelry & furniture. Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with precious & semi precious stones. Call, Text or Email April 27 April 25 ESTATE JEWELRY AND ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!! Broker 5 to 7 p.m. $15 admission LCC Florence Center Glass For Every Purpose 1780 Kingwood St. 541-997-8526 Commerical • Residential Weekly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly, One Time Pick-Up. Village Grooming 4981 Highway 101, across Munsel Lake Rd Easy curb side recycling program- No additional costs to our customers. 5078 Coastwood Lane 541-305-5411 Call us at 541-997-8233 appointment Call for an
