Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission Wednesday discussed pedestrian safety issues caused by vehicles turning right on red lights the intersection of Market and Detroit streets. The commission also reviewed the city’s downtown parking plan. The commission discussed talking to the Indiana Department of Transportation about the possibility of prohibiting right turns on red for westbound traffic at Market Street and north bound traffic at Detroit Street. The commission also discussed making a recommendation to INDOT that lighted pedestrian signage be installed at the intersection. Kip Shuter, Warsaw traffic administrator, said it will be INDOT’s decision to prohibit right turn on red at the intersection and the pedestrian signage. Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said the issue originated from a call he received from a resident who said there are a lot of pedestrians crossing to get downtown to the parks, but with the bike and pedestrian plan on Market Street the resident felt it would be appropriate to prohibit the right turn on red at Market and Detroit streets. The resident was concerned with pedestrians not being seen by drivers turning from westbound Market Street onto northbound Detroit Street. “We are looking at this intersection specifically because it will involve the bike and pedestrian lane,” Thallemer said. “A lot of what we are trying to do downtown as far as the park system, First Fridays, and the farmers market is to attract people downtown and we need to consider their safety in getting downtown.” He said that means safe routes for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists. City Planner Jeremy Skinner said when drivers go right on red they are usually cutting someone off because they are rushing through the intersection, which becomes a pedestrian issue. “There is no time for them to go right on red, they are making their own time at the risk of other people,” Skinner said. Warsaw City Council approved the downtown parking plan at its July 15 meeting. The plan will go into effect Sept. 1. The council approved creating 97 free, unlimited parking spaces downtown and creating 38 new spaces. The board agreed to leave the free unlimited parking areas without signage that take effect Sept. 1. Free, unlimited parking will be between Market and Center streets, the south side of Market Street from Washington to Lake streets; the east side of Lake Street between Market Street and the alley north of Market Street and all of Lake Street south of Market Street down to Jefferson Street and Buffalo Street between Main and Fort Wayne Street. The commission approved allowing a 15 minute parking spot for Indiana Antiques at the corner of Market and Buffalo Street to allow customer to load and unload items. The business requested the parking space to accommodate customers. The commission tabled a request from Nick Schrauder, a Lindenwood Avenue resident, to install a no parking sign on the top of the hill on Park Ridge Drive near Warsaw Community Church. In a letter to the commission, Schrauder said there is a resident who parks vehicles on the road and it causes a blind spot. Drivers also cannot see around the parked vans, causing the potential for traffic accidents. The commission tabled the request to obtain photos of the issue. The commission denied a written request from Margaret Reisert, a Harding Street resident, to remove the left turn restriction at Prairie and Buffalo Streets as the intersection is on a state highway controlled by the state.
