[Vision2020] Crosswalks near Wendys & in general

[Philip Cook]

Bill,

I think you're presenting somewhat of a red herring. The need for improved pedestrian access across Hwy 8 would still exist, regardless of the land use on A Street. To wit, hundreds of students live in UI housing on the south side of Hwy 8 and partronize businesses on the north side (and presumably would have patronized businesses along a commercially-zoned A Street). At least some of those students (and other non-students) cross Hwy 8 on foot. 

Although none of the data I have seen breaks down the number of pedestrian crossings of Hwy 8 by students, residents of A Street, nor purpose for crossing the street, I suspect you are correct that residential use of A Street has exacerbated the problem. However, I believe the problem would exist regardless.   

For me, more of the blame goes to the Idaho Transportation Department, who controls the Hwy 8 corridor, for placing more emphasis on accommodating motorized traffic than pedestrian traffic. (And I suppose the bottom line is ITD is only reflecting society's current preferences, so I guess we should be blaming ourselves.)

Philip Cook
Moscow 

> Date: Fri, 30 Jun 2006 09:58:39 -0700
> From: "Bill London" <london at moscow.com>
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Crosswalks near Wendys & in general
> 
> regarding the accident-waiting-to-happen where students are crossing the Moscow-Pullman highway between the UI and the apartments on A Street.....
> 
> The reason this problem is surfacing now is the negligence of the previous City Council.  That A Street area was zoned commercial, and the previous council just couldn't say NO when developers wanted to put apartments there.
> 
> Now, we all have to deal with the problems that have resulted from that bad decision-making.
> BL