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Councils Reviewing Crash Zones

4/27/2015

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April 25, 2015 - Photo Credit Kacy Lujan
Saturday night, MC 85 saw yet another crash.  This one at Estrella Parkway in Goodyear just before 9pm.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office responded but does not have crash reports available yet online. 

However, passersby raised concern about the intersection citing previous accidents.  Even though a traffic light is installed at this intersection, residents pointed out the need to double check oncoming cars before crossing... even on a green light.
So, just how are traffic lights and increased traffic patrols considered in the West Valley?

Tonight in Goodyear, city traffic engineers will explain to council members how traffic signals are evaluated and prioritized within the city's Capital Improvement Program - or CIP.

Deciding whether to install a traffic light actually starts at the top with the Federal Highway Administration's guidelines.  These guidelines, detailed in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, (MUTCD), include nine "warrants."  Warrants are factors identifying the need for traffic signals such as peak hours, school crossings, crash history, and volume of traffic in specific intersections. 

Goodyear's traffic operations staff have identified nine intersections in its All-America City which are not currently funded in the CIP program but are being evaluated. Maybe you've driven through them....
  • Yuma Road and Canyon Trails Boulevard
  • Elliot Road and San Gabriel Drive/Starpointe Entrance
  • Estrella Parkway and Harrison Street
  • 158th Avenue and Van Buren Street
  • Estrella Parkway and Romley Road
  • Bullard Avenue and Earll Drive
  • Estrella Parkway and Vineyard Avenue
  • 135th Avenue and Thomas Road
  • 152nd Drive and Van Buren Street
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Starpointe Residents Club entrance on Elliot Road - April 2015
Because Goodyear has no ongoing funds for installing new traffic signals, staff need to ask lawmakers for CIP funding.  From this graphic below, you can see Yuma Road and Canyon Trails Boulevard is the most critical intersection under evaluation meeting four traffic signal warrants. It's reported a developer has upped 75% of the funding for a new traffic light.  The other 25% will need to come from Goodyear's CIP for Fiscal Year 2015-2016.
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Discussion about traffic signals got a boost after our blog post April 14th.  The night before, Goodyear City Council unanimously approved a Taco Bell drive through in Estrella without first considering the traffic danger in front of the Starpointe Residents Club. Residents were surprised because they had expressed concerns to staff previously and decided the only way to bring attention to lawmakers was to start a petition and letter writing campaign. 
When we purchased our home in Estrella Mountain Ranch we chose our home location based on proximity to the shopping center, club house and lakes. We wanted to be able to reach these amenities by foot or bicycle. Each morning I enjoy taking my 2 youngest children in their double stroller for a walk around the lakes. When my 7 year old is home he likes to tag along on his bike. It has become increasingly dangerous to cross the intersection. I have witnessed many close calls and 2 accidents. I am concerned for our drivers, pedestrians, and bikers. I am urging city council to please install a traffic light at this intersection. ~Suzanne McEvoy, Estrella Resident
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Elliot intersection in front of the Starpointe Residents Club after improvements in 2013
This discussion is not new.  In 2012, I asked Goodyear to review the intersection in front of the Starpointe Residents Club as a council member prior to the vote regarding the approval of the McDonald's drive through in Estrella. 

This is a photo of the improvements to the questionable intersection in 2013.  City painted in a brighter crosswalk, cut shrubbery, and vowed to "keep an eye" on the intersection.  The McDonald's drive through was approved February 25, 2013.

According to the staff report for tonight's work session, staff will recommend a light at this intersection be installed in 2016 due to increasing development in the area. 
staff_report.pdf
File Size: 104 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

As commercial and residential development continues in the Estrella and Canta Mia areas, traffic is getting congested and dangerous in the intersection of San Gabriel Drive and Elliot Road, where the entrance/exit is to the Starpointe Residents Club.  City Council has recently approved a Taco Bell with a drive through, just east of this intersection. We are asking the Goodyear City Council to consider installing a traffic signal for the safety of our residents and guests, whether they use that intersection as pedestrians, motorists, or bicyclists. We would like to see the City Council act in a proactive fashion, instead of waiting to react to a serious accident. ~Sara Gilligan, Estrella Resident
Goodyear is not the only city in the West Valley evaluating "crash zones."  Avondale also is looking at various intersections in its city.  On April 16th, Avondale P.D. posted on Facebook, "According to the most recent review of collisions in intersections within Maricopa County it has revealed that Avondale has some of the highest collision related intersections."  Dysart Road at McDowell and Van Buren are under the magnifying glass now with the Avondale Police Traffic Bureau implementing strict enforcement "in order to hopefully make our roadways safer for the citizens of Avondale."  Residents responded with pleas for adjusting the timing of traffic lights.
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My hat's off to residents who care enough to get involved and speak up.  Lawmakers can make decisions without really understanding the local needs of the people... especially when residents do not show up at council meetings to provide public input.  I do appreciate city staff and lawmakers who actually visit locations to see for themselves what concerns are BEFORE going to a vote.  I do appreciate lawmakers who are willing to meet with residents, listen to their concerns, and consider options for accommodating new growth while ensuring the safety of the people in the immediate area.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
GOODYEAR AND AVONDALE
Goodyear City Council hears the traffic light presentation tonight at 4:30pm during its work session. 

The Goodyear Justice Center is located at

14455 W. Van Buren St., Goodyear, Az 85338.

Public comment is not allowed until the City Council meeting at 6pm.

You can download your Speaker Request Form here.  Submit it to the City Clerk when you arrive.  If many residents wish to speak about the same issue, the mayor may ask you to nominate one person to speak on behalf of the group.  Be sure that person gives an accurate number of people who've attended the meeting in favor for or against the topic.

In Avondale, the police department is taking a proactive approach with its highlighted "crash zones."  Here's the link to the police department.  You can email the Avondale mayor and council at this link.
This is the link to Maricopa County's Department of Transportation.

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