Pure Madnesson
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Saturday, March 04, 2006
East Washington Avenue to Become One Way Street
Commuters on East Washinton Avenue have enjoyed a hiatus from construction headaches throughout the winter. Now that spring is coming, drivers will again have to endure traffic hassles as construction begins again on March 6.
The city has made a slight change of plans since the construction began over a year ago. Due to complications in widening the road caused by underground power lines, the road will instead be converted to a one-way street heading west. An announcement from the City of Madison explains that East Washinton is a gateway to Madison and not out of Madison, so the modification meshes well with the city's goals for the area. The change does mean additional construction of at least one year.
Neighborhood residents are upset by the change. Marquette Neighborhood Association President Marsha Rummel claims that neighbors were not consulted about the new plan. "Making the street one-way means that people will come into our neighborhood but will not be able to leave. We will be flooded with confused motorists who can't find their way out on the side streets." Rummel also indicates that the changes are contradictory to the neighborhood plan approved for the area.
The change in plans has brought development along the corridor to an immediate halt. Developers are concerned that it will be difficult to attract businesses to the area if their customers can only get in but not out. The city has not made any plans to run a nearby road the opposite direction, meaning that commuters will essentially be held hostage in the central part of the city, as very limited alternate routes heading west are available.
Alderwoman Judy Olson who represents some of the area near East Washington Avenue was also unaware of the changes. Olson says that she will look into the change immediately but will not form an opinion until she has all of the details available to her.
The city has made a slight change of plans since the construction began over a year ago. Due to complications in widening the road caused by underground power lines, the road will instead be converted to a one-way street heading west. An announcement from the City of Madison explains that East Washinton is a gateway to Madison and not out of Madison, so the modification meshes well with the city's goals for the area. The change does mean additional construction of at least one year.
Neighborhood residents are upset by the change. Marquette Neighborhood Association President Marsha Rummel claims that neighbors were not consulted about the new plan. "Making the street one-way means that people will come into our neighborhood but will not be able to leave. We will be flooded with confused motorists who can't find their way out on the side streets." Rummel also indicates that the changes are contradictory to the neighborhood plan approved for the area.
The change in plans has brought development along the corridor to an immediate halt. Developers are concerned that it will be difficult to attract businesses to the area if their customers can only get in but not out. The city has not made any plans to run a nearby road the opposite direction, meaning that commuters will essentially be held hostage in the central part of the city, as very limited alternate routes heading west are available.
Alderwoman Judy Olson who represents some of the area near East Washington Avenue was also unaware of the changes. Olson says that she will look into the change immediately but will not form an opinion until she has all of the details available to her.
posted by Pure Madness<> # 11:31 AM 
