Can Williston Road be saved?

From Local  Motion

You've got to give South Burlington officials credit. They have embarked on an ambitious demonstration project to see if a section of Williston Road can be made a safer and more pleasant place to walk, bike and drive. It started June 28. As part of the State of Vemont’s Williston Road repaving project, they included a City-sponsored demonstration project to test a “Complete Streets” scenario between Hinesburg Road and Kennedy Drive. Williston Road was re-striped with reduced through lanes and a center two-way left tum lane. Data is now being collected and traffic behaviors observed during the demonstration period and a decision will be made on its permanent design.  Your input is needed! More people have complained to date than have complimented the City.  Send your comments to CCRPC staffer Eleni Churchill and SB DPW Director Justin Rabidoux. This is the first ever “Complete Streets” project in South Burlington, and is being funded in part by the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission.  Read press release here. If this demonstration is successful, it will give us all an opportunity to look at a more permanent and more comprehensive 'complete street' implementation on Williston Road.  Either way, Local Motion salutes the City of South Burlington for working to make their busy roadways more friendly for all modes. What is Complete Streets? The Complete Streets concept is one that designs streets to enable safe access for all users. In the case of Williston Road, the City is hoping to reduce weaving traffic and overall vehicular speeds while creating adequate space for bicycles and a better environment for pedestrians. This section of Williston Road is among the City’s busiest streets, seeing an average of 20,000 vehicles per day. The Complete Streets concept was authorized for Williston Road by a vote ofthe City Council in earìy 2012. Got ideas? Questions and comments can be directed to the Department of Public Works at 802-658-7961.