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9 <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. O’Connell about the preliminary design of the <br />bridge, Mr. Sprinkle said that VDOT is looking at using the same rail as is on the West <br />Main Street bridge, and is also looking at ways to dress up the handicapped ramp. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris thanked the neighborhood for getting involved to improve the design. <br />He said the bridge is not as narrow as some would like, but he is comfortable with the <br />design. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja asked if there will be lighting on the bridge, and Ms. Janiczek said yes, <br />but there are no design details yet. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said the design should respect the dark skies ordinance. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Dr. Brown about the time frame, Ms. Janiczek said <br />that work will begin in 2009 after the end of the football season, and it should be <br />completed within a year. She said a bike and pedestrian bridge will be built while it is <br />under construction. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro said the proposed design is better than what we started with, and he <br />supports it. He said it could be a safety issue. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro made a motion to approve the resolution approve the design, and <br />Mr. Huja seconded the motion. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Edwards, Mr. Sprinkle said removing the <br />parking will not affect the width of the bridge. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris suggested working with the neighborhood about the parking. <br /> <br /> The resolution approving the design of the Jefferson Park Avenue bridge was <br />approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. Edwards, Mr. Huja, Mr. Norris, <br />Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: None. <br /> <br />REPORT/RESOLUTION <br />: PEDESTRIAN SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT; <br />REALLOCATION OF $700,000 FROM CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND FOR <br />PEDESTRIAN SAFETY MEASURES <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, said Council <br />had asked that a citizen’s committee look at pedestrian safety issues and make <br />recommendations for improvements. He said the Committee looked at downtown, U. Va. <br />th <br />West Main Street, Preston Avenue, and 5 Street down to Cherry Avenue. The <br />recommendations include: public education; stepped up enforcement; ADA compliance; <br />zebra striped crosswalks; all signals be push button and uniform; all signals be “hand <br />man” with a countdown; and audio signals everywhere eventually. <br /> <br /> Ms. Donovan Branch, Assistant Traffic Engineer, demonstrated the audio signal. <br /> Mr. Tolbert said LED crosswalks are recommended to be installed in conjunction <br />with U. Va. He said policy recommendations include: enforcement of snow removal <br />laws and no blocking of sidewalks. Mr. Tolbert said that funding for the first phase, <br />$700,000, is recommended to come out of existing capital improvement funds. He said <br />the recommendation is to implement the first phase projects, and then have the <br />Committee review the effectiveness in 12 to 18 months. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Norris about the timeframe, Mr. Tolbert said <br />that improvements should be done after January 1. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro said it is a great plan. He said LED crosswalks are really effective <br />as are the countdown signals. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked if the LED crosswalk at Ridge/McIntire will be across from the <br />Omni, and Mr. Tolbert said he thinks it will be at McDonald’s, but that will be <br />determined later. <br /> <br />