Traffic Panel Continues Discussion On Dubois Drive One-Way Proposal
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission Wednesday discussed proposals to make Dubois Drive a one-way street and close off Brookview Drive at Parker Street.
At its Jan. 6 traffic meeting, the commission agreed to hold a neighborhood meeting Tuesday night with Meadowbrook Addition residents to discuss the possibility of making Dubois Drive one way.Warsaw Police Dept. Lt. Kip Shuter reported a Meadowbrook Addition neighborhood meeting also was held in 2006.
During the 2006 meeting, Meadowbrook Addition residents recommended Brookview Drive at Parker Street be closed off to alleviate excess traffic driving through their subdivision if Dubois Drive becomes one way.
The commission is proposing to make Dubois Drive on the Kosciusko Community Hospital campus a one-way westbound street. The goal is to remove the conflicts at the U.S. 30 and Parker Street and Dubois Drive intersection, Shuter said during Wednesday morning's meeting.
The city wants to proceed with improvements to Parker Street south of U.S. 30 and Dubois Drive.
The recommendation to make Dubois Drive one way will need to be approved by Warsaw City Council.
In November 2006, the traffic commission considered options and unanimously recommended to the city council that Dubois Drive become one way.
However, in 2006, the council tabled approving Dubois Drive becoming one way to obtain input from Meadowbrook Addition residents.
During Wednesday's traffic meeting, Shuter provided results from Tuesday night's meeting at WPD's Training Center.
Meadowbrook Addition residents met with commissioners and city councilmen Tuesday night to discuss the commission's proposal.
Tuesday night's meeting was attended by 60 residents who live on Parker and Harrison Streets. Meadowbrook Addition residents also attended Tuesday's meeting.
Meadowbrook Addition consists of residents who live on Brookview Drive, Sally, Pam and Nancy streets in Warsaw.
KCH and Bowen Center representatives also attended Tuesday night's meeting.
Shuter said during Tuesday's meeting, Meadowbrook Addition residents expressed both concerns and support for closing off Brookview Drive at Parker Street.
The commission reviewed 12 letters Wednesday from Meadowbrook Addition residents who wrote either in favor of or in opposition to closing off Brookview Drive at Parker Street.
Some of the concerns in the letters included if Brookview Drive was closed off, the residents were concerned with snow removal, fire and police protection and ambulance services not being able to access their neighborhood. The letters also stated concerns with preventing the residents from having an outlet from their neighborhood.
A Sally Street resident stated in a letter it would become a hassle to get onto Harrison Street from either Sally Street or Brookview Drive if the drive was closed off at Parker Street.
The commission Wednesday decided that it will look at traffic count data that came from Martin's and Culver's traffic studies for Parker Street that may also have traffic counts for Dubois Drive.
The traffic studies will help determine if making Dubois Drive one way is necessary, and if closing off Brookview Drive at Parker Street is feasible, Shuter said.
The commission will ask Michiana Area Council On Government to conduct traffic counts on Harrison, Parker, and Sally streets and Dubois, Provident and Brookview drives.
The commission will continue discussion on the topic at its March meeting after traffic counts are conducted.
Out of the 36 Meadowbrook Addition residents who attended Tuesday night's meeting, 15 residents were in favor of closing Brookview Drive at Parker Street. There were 10 residents who were in favor of Warsaw gathering more information to see if closing off the drive is warranted.
