Overton-Oakdale pedestrian crossing changes in the works
Improvements to the intersection that will serve as the Cahaba River Park entrance are moving forward.
The city council discussed creating pedestrian crossings at Oakdale Drive, Overton Road and River Run Drive at its Oct. 27 meeting.
In September Jefferson County had requested additional crosswalks and modifications to the curb at the intersection. A later safety review found that the additional crosswalks could create hazardous conditions, which brought about a need for a Skipper Consultants study that was presented at the Oct. 27 meeting. Oakdale Drive, River Run Drive and the signal belong to Jefferson County.
Skipper recommended a signalized crossing over Overton Road that would cost $38,800, as well as an alteration of the curb for a right turn from Overton Road northbound onto River Run Drive. This would slow down traffic maximum speed from 34 mph to 23 mph for $1,750.
The council said they were in favor of the signalized crossing but had doubts about the necessity of the curb alterations because there is no documented evidence of speeding.
Skipper did not recommend the other two proposals it studied. The first included an additional three crosswalks restricting traffic access to the right turn lane on Oakdale Drive, particularly during peak hours, that would cost $47,100. The second was a curb alteration turning right from Oakdale Drive onto Overton Road southbound would also slow traffic maximum speeds from 38 mph to 26 mph for $17,500.
Following the meeting. Richard Caudle of Skipper Consulting will respond to Jefferson County Roads and Transportation’s letter to say that the additional crosswalks are in not in the budget for the project and that the city would be willing to meet.
The council also:
- Discussed a proposal reviewing modifying a traffic signal on Cahaba Road at the exit of the new Little Hardware building in English Village. The exit now comes out into the south side, not the middle, of the intersection, with no traffic signal to coordinate with it. This review, conducted by Richard Caudle of Skipper Consultants, would count traffic. The council decided to wait until after the store has opened on Wednesday to see how the traffic patterns evolve before deciding on the need for a study.
- Reappointed Charles E. Carper IV to the Parks and Recreation Board through Oct. 25, 2019.
- Reappointed William T. “Bill” Warren to the Tree Commission through Oct. 29, 2017.
- Created a Geographic Information Systems Technician II position for the Planning Department to be filled at the discretion of the city manager.
- Delayed making a decision regarding a business associates agreement with TASC (formerly Benefit Elect of Alabama) for the city’s Flexible Benefit (“cafeteria”) Plan administration services.
- Executed an engagement letter for an annual audit by Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC of the Sept. 30 financial statements.
- Authorized cash and surplus transfers between funds for the year ended Sept. 30.
- Executed of a commercial fire protection and emergency medical services agreement.
- Ratified a Cahaba River Park project change-order for $23,239.97 to allow for a pavilion to be built.
- Executed of a service agreement between the City and Alabama Ballet.
This was the last meeting for council members Amy Carter and Jesse Vogtle, whose terms end this month.
A resident petition on the agenda for the council pre-meeting was not presented. Residents had requested in writing the addition of a stop sign on Overhill Road. Resident Alison Ingram had written the city regarding how traffic headed toward Mountain Brook Parkway backs up to Laurel Lane. In response, the Police Department had reported that they do not recommend action due to recorded low traffic volume, speeds under the speed limit and lack of documented accidents, but Ingram felt that there is still need for a stop sign due to safety hazards.
The next meeting of the City Council is will be an organizational session held Nov. at 7:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 56 Church Street.