Patricia Avenue Barrier May Come Down in February

Engineers are moving forward with added safety features for Patricia Avenue before the popular Pinehurst Road cut-through is reopened.

When officials voted 4-1 to tear down the on Dec. 1, they instructed Joan Rice, traffic engineer, not to remove the barrier at McLean Street until speed humps and other safety features are installed. The issue divided neighbors. Many residents north of the barrier enjoyed quieter streets, while residents to the south felt the unwanted affects of increased traffic.

So far, a multi-way stop sign has been installed at Patricia Avenue and McCarty Street. Engineers will also consider results from surveyors for possible crosswalks in the area.

Four speed humps for Patricia have been ordered, Rice said, and she expects them to arrive in January. Once the speed humps are installed the barrier will be removed, she said.

Plans indicate that:

• Two speed humps will go in between Glenwood Place and McCarty Street,
• One between McLean and McFarland streets and
• One between Robmar Street and Mary Jane Lane.

Letters were also sent to the 22 homeowners on Patricia Avenue where continuous sidewalks are being considered (the length of McCarty Street to Jackmar Road). The letters ask homeowners to respond to a poll asking them where they prefer to have sidewalks installed — the east, west or both sides of the street, or not at all.

Rice said 12 people had responded as of Thursday, Dec. 22.

“It can go either way still,” Rice said.

She said she anticipates Patricia will reopen in February.

After Patricia Avenue reopens her staff will study the southern part of the neighborhood, where traffic increased dramatically when the Patricia Avenue barrier went up. Residents on San Salvador began seeing more than 1,000 cars per day and , according to the study.

Staff estimates all the safety features (including two continuous sidewalks) necessary to reopen Patricia Avenue would cost $125,000. Rob DiSpirito, city manager, said the money would come from the Gas Tax Fund, which already has $125,000 earmarked for neighborhood sidewalks. He also said $52,000 is available for city sidewalks in the Penny Fund, should it be needed.