(Cushing, Okla.) In a special meeting of the Cushing Board of Commissioners, city leaders voted to approve designs presented by ODOT Division 4 Engineer, Brian Taylor and Engineering Project Manager for Meshek & Associates, Ben Fletcher.
The men reported on the traffic study done on two key intersections that have been under scrutiny – Little and Main (SH 33) and Linwood and Main (SH 33) – in Cushing. A grading system of “A – F” is used, with “A” being “great” and “C” being “acceptable” or “desirable.” Anything lower than a “C” would need to be improved upon. The study showed the Little intersection is at a “B or C” level of performance, while the Linwood intersection is at a “D” level of performance. Click here to see Intersection Capacity Analysis.
Although the current configuration on Little will be kept in place, there will be improvements made by increasing the radii thus allowing more room for trucks making turns at the intersection. Fletcher said new lights will be installed along with pedestrian crossings to meet ADA standards. Those improvements are expected to raise the level of performance grade to an “A” or “B.”
Along with increasing the radii, installation of new lights and pedestrian crossings as proposed for the Little intersection, the Linwood intersection will undergo more significant changes including creating a right hand turn lane on south Linwood. Fletcher said the report indicated a “large number” of trucks making right hand turns and that by adding the turn lane, traffic should flow more easily and wait times will be reduced by 50 percent. It will also bring the level of performance grade up to a “B.”
“Prep work” for the Linwood project will include moving of utilities near the intersection and acquiring the right of ways, which according to Taylor, typically can take up to two years. The City of Cushing will have to absorb the cost of moving the utilities and acquiring the right of ways. Once those things are complete, the replacement project is expected to take 6 to 8 months from start to finish. Projected time line for the project to begin – January, 2017.
Chairman Joe Manning asked what the ramifications of putting in a left turn lane as some have suggested. Taylor said it would come at a significant increased cost, not only to the City of Cushing due to moving of utilities and acquisition of right of ways, but to businesses that would be directly impacted.
“We believe this plan makes the most sense for the long term,” Taylor said. “We are committed to make it happen as soon as we can.”
Once the presentation was complete and questions answered, Commissioner Terry Brannon proposed commissioners wait until the next regular meeting (Monday, July 21st) to vote on whether to move forward with the plan in order to give the public time to be informed and comment on the proposal.
Commissioner Evert Rossiter said he wouldn’t be able to attend the next meeting and he would like to go ahead and take it to a vote. Commissioner Tommy Johnson made a motion to move forward with the ODOT’s proposed plan, Rossiter seconded it. The motion passed with 4 of the 5 commissioners voting yes. Brannon cast the lone no vote.
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