Big Changes for 26th Street

By Teresa Rochester

Nov. 29 -- A roundabout, crosswalks and curb extensions are among a host of changes that will be made to busy 26th Street in the hopes of making it safer for pedestrians, following a unanimous decision by the City Council Tuesday night.

The controversial roundabout will be installed at 26th Street and Washington Avenue, an intersection that has generated years of neighborhood complaints because of the difficulty and danger residents face trying to cross the street.

Initially, residents called for a flashing crosswalk, but City officials said the roundabout is safer for pedestrians and vehicles. The roundabout will slow traffic along 26th Street, making it easier for cars and trucks to stop for people crossing the street.

"Roundabouts have fewer accidents, " Ellen Gelbard, deputy director of planning and community development, told the council. She added that an education campaign would accompany the roundabout's installation.

"We know we need some sort of control at this intersection and we need to keep traffic flowing," said Suzanne Frick, director of Planning and Community Development.

The roundabout has had its share of critics. The Firefighters Union originally expressed concern that it would slow emergency vehicles on the street, which is considered an major north/south thoroughfare and an emergency response route.

The union, however, changed its position in an email to the council after meeting with planning officials, who made revisions to the roundabout's design that will allow trucks to roll over it.

"We are happy with the discussions and the agreements for some minor changes that were reached," wrote Ken Polhill, president of Firefighters Association Local 1109. "We feel that with these changes we will be able to deliver our same fine service in the same manner that we all have been accustomed too."

The traffic circle and other changes to the street also raised the concern of at least 90 City employees in a number of departments -- from City Yards to Parks -- who drive city streets daily. The workers signed a petition denouncing the changes that was circulated by resident Chuck Allord, who said he did not submit the petition for fear of employees facing reprisals.

"Ninety of these people are saying they can't navigate around it," said Allord, who advocated for more traffic enforcement.

Allord also said that he had collected cards from neighbors who attended a community meeting on the issue and who were concerned about the improvements. He added he did not have their permission to submit them to the City as part of the permanent record.

Some residents in the area who were originally skeptical about the additions on 26th Street spoke in favor of them before the council.

"This for us is a result of a process that has gone on for several years," said Stacey Abarbanel. "I'd like to encourage you to give it a try."

Council members lauded neighbors for sticking with the process for so long.

"This is really the way to process our work," said Councilman Ken Genser. "This was a neighborhood generated issue."

The 26th Street changes are scheduled to go out for bid in March 2002. Construction is expected to cost $563,200.

The changes also include the following:

• Installing a mid-block crosswalk at the Country Mart between San Vicente Boulevard and Georgina Avenue.
• Installing a new zebra-striped crosswalk at Carlyle Avenue to serve the bus stop at the northwest corner of Carlyle, as well as curb extensions and small landscaped raised median islands north and south of the crosswalk to prevent vehicles from using the left turn lane to skirt around a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian.
• Realigning the marked crosswalk at Georgina Avenue across 26th Street to shorten and straighten it. Curb extensions will be included.
• Installing crosswalks on the north side of Marguerita and Alta Avenues to supplement the current crosswalks on the south side that cross 26th Street. Small median islands will be installed on both the north and south approaches to each crosswalk.
• Adding curb extensions to the northeast and northwest corners of 26th Street and San Vicente Boulevard.
• Installing a new marked and signalized crosswalk at Pennsylvania Avenue and 26th Street near the Water Garden.