Neighborhood Meeting Focused on Safer and More Pleasant Streets
Neighbors in the vicinity of 10th and Burleigh want to take control of their neighborhood streets. The issues of crime and blight can be overwhelming, but by taking ‘baby steps,’ neighbors can feel a sense of control and ownership of their block. Mateen, Community Partner Organizer in the neighborhood, has been conducting door-to-door outreach and regular block club meetings with residents. Reckless driving and speeding down residential streets was a primary concern of residents. Mateen worked with NSP Coordinator Gracelyn Wilson and Ald. Coggs office to arrange a meeting space at Robert M. Lafollette School, at 3230 N. 9th Street. Dave Schlabowske, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator with the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works was invited to the meeting to discuss the options with those in attendance. Mateen conducted additional outreach to inform residents of the meeting and get them involved in the decision making process.
Dave Schlabowske explained the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, which is designed to be a flexible program to meet the special needs of different neighborhoods. It begins with cost free initiatives in the Phase One section, and includes descriptions of different assessable options if the phase one initiatives are not completely effective.
The discussion centered on speed humps, which are raised sections of pavement across the travel way. These devices are 13-22 feet in length and approximately 3 1/3 inches high. The design consists of a sinusoidal curve that is less abrupt and friendlier to plows and bicycles. The purpose of a speed hump is to reduce speeds by vertically deflecting the wheels and frame of a vehicle. The occupants experience an uncomfortable sensation if the vehicle travels at speeds great that the design speed (25 mph) of the speed hump. This is quite different from a speed “bump” typically found in parking lots. Speed bumps typically have design speeds of 5 miles per hour.
Advantages of Speed Humps:
- Reduces vehicle speed
- Can reduce non-local or cut-through traffic
- No restrictions to on-street parking
- Requires minimum maintenance
Disadvantages of Speed Humps:
- May divert traffic to parallel streets that do not have traffic calming measures.
- Increases emergency response times 2-10 seconds
- Not esthetically pleasing
- Can increase road noise
The residents on North 9th and 10th decided that they want to install the speed humps and are excited to continue with the process. A neighborhood resident signature will be taken door-to-door in the neighborhood to get participation in the project. The cost is assessed at $3.00 per foot of frontage for affected property owners. A special assessment hearing would have to be held before implementing and of the recommendations.
