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| Mike Wendling. FTM file. |
By Robin Gee
A planned widening of Washington Avenue could adversely
affect safety on the street, says a group of residents. Mike Wendling, who has
owned a duplex on Washington since 1988, presented a petition to the Fort
Thomas City Council at the April council meeting.
While the petition says residents are very happy with
planned improvements on Washington including road resurfacing, sidewalks and
curbs, they are concerned that widening the road will increase the volume and
speed of traffic from nearby Newport and Southgate, bring cars closer to
pedestrians and make their street less safe for those who live there.
Wendling said the narrowness of the road helps to slow down
traffic as it is not possible for cars going opposite directions to pass each
other while other cars are parked along the street. Drivers are forced to slow
down and stop to let each other pass. He cited the city’s comprehensive plan
that states traffic for nonresidents should be discouraged on streets
considered local.
Widening of the street, said City Administrator Ron Dill,
was intended to improve the street by allowing for safer maneuverability. About
three feet of space would be added to ease tightness between moving traffic and
parked cars.
Wendling went on to request that if the widening plan goes
through that council take a close look at which side to widen and at ways to
discourage flow through traffic. He also expressed concern over loss or
relocation of street lights.
Council discussed adding “No through traffic” signage and
other similar measures to discourage outside drivers on the street.
