Road Warrior: City keeping Warren Avenue pedestrian islands – Kitsap Sun

Kitsap Sun Published 10:18 a.m. PT Feb. 21, 2017 | Updated 6 hours ago

The in basket: John Bogen asks, Will the city ever review the poor decision made to put the pedestrian islands in on Warren between Burwell and Sixth? It is a mess at 4 p.m., and I often see people driving through the gaps westbound on Fourth and Fifth in order to bypass the Burwell and Warren traffic jam (caused by the islands).

I think the islands make it more difficult to see pedestrians at 4-5 p.m. in the dark/twilight, and they plug up traffic horribly. A better and cheaper solution would have been to install flashing crosswalk lights for the relatively few pedestrians who use those crosswalks. Anyhow, is there ever any review following a traffic enhancement such as this?

The out basket: I didnt think there was much chance of a change of heart on this, as the city is pretty committed to making life easier and safer for pedestrians and bicyclists at the expense of motorists.The center barriers cut in half the distance a pedestrian must walk to cross Warren in one movement. And the third gap in that barrier at Fifth and Fourth, in addition to those with crosswalks in them, is legally available to bicyclists, who likewise have a refuge area half-way across.

Shane Weber, street engineer for the city, confirmed my expectation. We have no plans to review the center island improvements on Warren Avenue, he said. We are aware that there are instances where people will try to make the illegal maneuver through the gaps in the island.However, we believe this occurrence to be minimal and have made Bremerton Police Department aware for enforcement.

The city is reviewingsignal timing this year on the Warren Avenue corridor. There may be timing adjustments we make to the signals along the corridor if it is determined better performance can be achieved. This includes the signals at Warren Avenue and Burwell and Warren Avenue and Sixth Street.

Have a question for the Road Warrior? Call 360-792-9217 or email tvisb@wavecable.com.

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Road Warrior: City keeping Warren Avenue pedestrian islands - Kitsap Sun

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