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.
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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
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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.
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541-305-5411
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