Finding The Best Path Forward

Residents of Saratoga agree that pedestrian safety is an important issue. Where they are divided, however, is whether it is truly worth the financial cost.

Chris Vogelsang, traffic and transportation engineer for OV Consulting, spoke with community members at the Platte Valley Community Center on January 17 about the Transportation Alternative Master Plan.

In the proposed master plan, the goal is to create a “roadmap for mobility” with the support of the community and to investigate the current state of transportation by finding different opportunities to improve safety and provide choices for residents. This also includes cost and estimates with a five-year action plan and potential partnerships.

For the past five months, OV Consulting has been in town talking to residents about their concerns over safety hazards on the road and sidewalks. Residents say safety should be a top priority However, some are opposed to this project because of the cost and their belief it is not necessary for such a small town.

One of the concerns residents had at the meeting was safety for children, especially on Elm Street where students walk to school. Residents at the meeting also said they fear pedestrians could get hit by cars because of the lack of sidewalks, especially near Saratoga Middle High School and Saratoga Elementary School.

While this appears to be a divided issue, even those who oppose the project agree that children’s and pedestrians’ lives should be protected. It seems to be a question of what can be done without costing taxpayers too much money.

Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2) also expressed its concerns about safety regarding crosswalks and bus drop offs for students. Parents at the meeting pointed out there are no crossing guards to get the kids safely across the street.

CCSD2 Superintendent Darrin Jennings expressed his concerns to the Saratoga Sun regarding student safety. Jennings said he has worked with parents’ concerns on student safety protocols.

“We have concerns all the time for students’ safety,” Jennings said. “The bus drop off at Saratoga Elementary School has been a change from what we did in the past. We have worked with the police chief and our transportation director, Mack Miller, along with our two principals and they came up with the idea of a safe drop-off at Elm Street to the south of Saratoga Elementary school. The school bus has done drop-offs in the parking lot before that. “

Jennings said is open to the idea of having crossing guards if parents feel it is needed. He said that few kids cross the street because of the location of the student drop-off.

“If crossing guards are needed we would look into it,” Jennings said. “Where we drop students off right now, by changing the bus route, our students don’t have to cross the street because they drop off right at the school. The foot traffic we have between the elementary school and the high school would warrant looking at a crosswalk there. I am working with our mayor on getting a walking path between the high school and elementary school and looking for a safe place to cross that street. If we need a crossing guard then we will have them.

Jennings said he has not received any reports of any near misses parents mentioned at the community meeting but said he is willing to investigate this situation if any complaints are brought to his attention.

Saratoga Elementary School Principal Seth Hetherington said he is working with Jennings to ensure the safety of his students.

“We are working very diligently to try and address the safety of our students and pedestrians around our schools to the best of our abilities,” Hetherington said. “We will continue to work on these issues to make sure everyone is safe”.

Saratoga Police Chief Mike Morris said he has investigated the safety issues with his officers. Chief Morris said he has expressed his concerns to OV Consulting. He explained what needs to be fixed regarding 1st Street.

“Part of the process is they (OV Consulting) went around and asked us (about) some of the areas that had potential problems. Some of the areas that I identified … were areas along 1st Street as you entire town. Mostly speeding,” said Chief Morris. “The other issue is the speed limits on Bridge Street (Avenue) and whether or not they are being followed. Then Elm Street where we’ve got the high school, the elementary school, and the library. So those were certainly issues as far as safety with both pedestrians and vehicle traffic.”

Chief Morris believes that sidewalks for pedestrians and children are a concern and should be fixed because there is a lack of walking space for people to go and it is something that he wants to work on.

“One of the unique things about Saratoga is there are very few sidewalks. Sidewalks are mostly in the downtown area. Most of the residential areas don’t have sidewalks,” Chief Morris said. “When students were either going to or from school and the ball field, really there is no place to walk with the exception of on the road. So it is concerning, especially when you have 20 or 30 kids walking in various distances apart with traffic going through them.”

Chief Morris said both crosswalks and traffic lights would make a big difference in the safety of pedestrians. Most of the residents at the community meeting, however, opposed the idea of having traffic lights. He pointed out that crosswalks are certainly an issue, especially on 1st Street, where they are not well marked. There are only signs with no flashing lights except in the school zone. According to Chief Morris, there have been recent traffic accidents due to motorists not following posted speed limits.

Saratoga mayor Chuck Davis said his main concern with the project is how everything will be maintained if the transportation alternative project is approved. He said proper maintenance is a priority for him.

“My biggest concern about any of this is the maintenance,” Mayor Davis said. “We put in, let’s say, six miles of walking track. It’s a question on how we are going to maintain that walking track by removing snow and keeping it clean by clearing off the debris.”

Mayor Davis said if this project is not properly maintained, it could cost the town time and money which is why the maintenance is a serious part of this issue. He wants to make sure that workers are on top of things.

“It would put a burden on the town if maintenance is not being taken care of,” Mayor Davis said. “It would be good for several years but then you would have to start doing maintenance. If it’s a concrete path then you would have to replace concrete and if it is an asphalt path, then you either replace the asphalt or reseal it and chip it at some point”.

Mayor Davis said he is 100% behind the walking path between the schools and the library. He also said he has concerns regarding speed limit signs that could help reduce speeds in town.

“When the issue of the walking parth between the schools and library was brought up at the meeting I was 100% behind it because it needs to be done,” Mayor Davis said. “We are also looking at the speed limit signs that tell you how fast you are going. We are also looking at different precautions that will help keep the speed down”.

Mayor Davis said he understands residents have concerns over the cost of the proposed project but is working to find ways to reduce potential costs. He also said he recognizes that while the town is working on walking paths, residents have complained about the roads not being repaired, especially cracks and potholes. Mayor Davis said to be patient and bare with him.

To learn more about the Transportation Alternative Master Plan, visit SaratogaMoves.com.