Roscoe -- I apologize for the long delay on this, but there have been a lot of out-of-office time among the team in part because of a surgery. But the latest information is that the Transportation Engineering Division is working with the contractor to see if the removal could be completed in the next two months.

-- Stacie Oulton
Public Information Manager

Roscoe -- The managers for this project are out at a conference until Jan. 15. I've emailed them to ask for information on this when they return. When I receive this, I'll get it to you.

--Stacie Oulton
Public Information Manager

Mike -- Thanks for your question, and I wanted to let you know that the Transportation Engineering Division is working with contractor to see if the removal could be completed in the next two months.

Sincerely,

Stacie Oulton
Public Information Manager

Thanks for your question. Unfortunately, the study for this project and the counts didn't show enough pedestrians crossing West 20th Avenue to warrant having a pedestrian signal. There are other upcoming improvements that will serve pedestrians. This project is part of a larger project that will build a sidewalk on the south side of 20th.

Sincerely,

The Project Team  

Thanks, Ann, for your interest in this project and asking your question because it has come up a several times and has been answered in the questions below. 

This isn't going to become a three-way stop with stop signs for a number of reasons.

While stop signs seem to be a simple way to slow traffic, all-way stops fail to command the respect of motorists when traffic rarely exists on the minor/side street. This results in motorists disobeying the stop command. Installing an all-way stop would increase rear-end crashes and broadside collisions due to motorists forming a habit of not stopping at the unwarranted stop signs. This would increase danger for motorists on Oak Street. 

Additionally, studies show that when an all-way stop is installed that is not justified, motorists tend to rapidly accelerate from the stop to account for frustration of “lost time.” This adds noise to residential areas because of the rapid acceleration, and studies reveal that vehicles travel faster on roadways beyond the stop sign where the unjustified stop exists than if it were an uninterrupted segment of road.

The traffic volumes that exist also do not justify an all-way stop at this intersection, as adequate gaps exist to turn onto 20^th without the need to stop traffic. The gap study determined that there were ample breaks in traffic for motorists to turn left from Oak onto 20^th, which involves locating a gap in traffic from two directions. Turning right to head east on 20^th requires fewer gaps in traffic, as it only involves locating a gap in traffic from one direction.

Sincerely, 

The Project Team

Thank you for your interest in the 20th Avenue project. The sidewalk west of Nelson Street is currently moving through final design. Construction is expected to start ahead of the 2024/2025 school year.

Sincerely,

Project Team

Thanks, Norma, for asking a question and being interested in this project. The school zone adjacent to Fatima will receive radar feedback signs to alert drivers to their speeding. The first answer in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the website also covers some of the information you are concerned about: The studies of the traffic on 20^th showed that 85 percent of motorists on 20^th were traveling at 37 m.p.h. or under, and speeds tended to be higher during the overnight hours. Because the traffic signal for motorists on 20th essentially remains green nearly all the time, the signal has no impact on speeds. Additionally, traffic signals are specifically prohibited from being used for speed control by both the state and federal departments of transportation.

Best regards,

The Project Team

Thanks for your interest in this project and asking your question.

This signal project is part of a larger project that will include building sidewalks on the south side of West 20th Avenue from near Owens Court east to Nelson Street as highlighted in the project description part of this webpage. A radar feedback signs will also be installed by Lady of Fatima to alert drivers to their speeding.

Sincerely,

The Project Team

Amy -- Thanks for your question about this intersection becoming a three-way stop. You'll see in the questions that this has been asked, and we have provided an extensive answer to a resident just before you asked your question. Please take a look at that information on LakewoodTogether.org/20thOak/qanda and let us know if you have any other questions.

Sincerely, 

The Project Team

Laurie -- Thanks for your interest in this project and asking your question because it has come up a few times. 

This isn't going to become a three-way stop with stop signs for a number of reasons.

Stop signs can't be used as a way to control speeds. Like traffic signals, all-way stops must demonstrate that they meet minimum thresholds to justify stopping vehicles on the primary roadway. While a stop sign seems to be a simple way to slow traffic, all-way stops fail to command the respect of motorists when traffic rarely exists on the minor/side street. This results in motorists disobeying the stop command. 

Installing an all-way stop would increase rear-end crashes and broadside collisions due to motorists forming a habit of not stopping at the unwarranted stop signs. This would increase danger for motorists on Oak Street. Additionally, studies show that when an all-way stop is installed that is not justified, motorists tend to rapidly accelerate from the stop to account for frustration of “lost time.” This adds noise to residential areas because of the rapid acceleration, and studies reveal that vehicles travel faster on roadways beyond the stop sign where the unjustified stop exists than if it were an uninterrupted segment of road.

The traffic volumes that exist also do not justify an all-way stop at this intersection, as adequate gaps exist to turn onto 20^th without the need to stop traffic. The gap study determined that there were ample breaks in traffic for motorists to turn left from Oak onto 20^th, which involves locating a gap in traffic from two directions. Turning right to head east on 20^th requires fewer gaps in traffic, as it only involves locating a gap in traffic from one direction.

Sincerely, 

The Project Team

Courtney -- Thanks for your interest in this project. We wanted to let you know that traffic on West 20^th Avenue will have the right of way, and only traffic on Oak Street will have a stop sign. Even during the phase involving the flash operation, only traffic on Oak Street will face a flashing red light. On 20^th, traffic will see a flashing yellow light, which indicates to proceed with caution.

Sincerely,

The project team.