Motorist, pedestrian safety plan proposes improvements
The Marion City Council heard a plan to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians during Tuesday's regular meeting.
Two representatives of the engineering firm Bolton & Menk gave a presentation focused on improving safety in Marion for motorists and pedestrians.
The plan from Bolton & Menk looked at Marion's "high energy network," which includes North Main Street and the five lane, West Court Street, U.S. Highway 70 and N.C. Highway 226.
The potential safety measures for motorists included more street lighting, all-way stops, roundabouts, wider shoulders, traffic signal improvements and access management. The potential safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists included sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks and leading pedestrian intervals.
City officials could consider implementing improvements such as speed reductions with more police enforcement, road safety audits and education campaigns, according to the presentation.
The goals for the plan are to:
■ Eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes by 2050 and reduce fatalities and serious injuries by half by 2035.
■ Promote safe speeds and safe roads.
■ Prioritize vulnerable road users and expand choices for people getting around.
■ Create a shared sense of safety by the community.
To make many of the proposed improvements a reality would require both approval and funding from the N.C. Department of Transportation. Therefore, the plan prepared by Bolton & Menk is a goal for the future and doesn't mean these proposed changes will be enacted right away.
Mayor Steve Little commended the presenters for their plan, and he added that the Bolton & Menk firm plans to open an office in Marion soon.
In other business, the city council approved the annual settlement for the property taxes and authorized the order of collection for the next round of property taxes. Finance Director Crystal Young said Tax Collector Brett Moore has achieved a property tax collection rate of 99.35%. After hearing a report from Young, the council members authorized the next order of collection.
The council also voted to approve a contract with the engineering firm of Kimley-Horn for the design work on the new Clinchfield lift station bridge.
In April, Marion received a state grant of $1.436 million for the replacement of the bridge to the Clinchfield sewer lift station.
Council members agreed to adopt the contract with Kimley-Horn, which is based in Charlotte.
City Manager Woody Ayers also said the mayor's task force on homelessness in Marion will give a presentation at an upcoming meeting. This task force has held meetings about homelessness in Marion since the beginning of this year.
