Traffic Calming

The Neighborhood Association applied to the Traffic Engineering Division of the City of El Paso to do a study and to propose specific traffic calming measures for our area. Here is the commentary that was attached to the application:

"The Newman Park Neighborhood Association extends from Richmond Avenue on
the south to Nashville Avenue on the north and from Piedras to the
mountain. By agreement with the Manhattan Heights Association, our
membership boundaries also extend from Richmond Avenue to Aurora Avenue to the south.

The City of El Paso Traffic Management Program petition (attached) shows signatures of some (but by far not all) concerned residents. These signatures were collected between 9:30 and 10:30 on May 24, 2008 as Association Board members visited with a few neighbors as a beginning of the 2008 membership drive.

There are five streets of principal concern to us: Alabama, Piedras, Louisiana, Richmond and Altura. However, every street experiences some speeding between Piedras and Alabama.

With all of its steep and wavy hills, Alabama is dangerous to cross because a car may not be seen until it crests the hill at Memphis Avenue. Cars routinely speed up and down Alabama. In fact, just this past Saturday (May 24, 2008) there was a serious accident on Alabama at Hamilton Avenue.

Piedras traffic has noticeably increased in recent years and the speed limit seems to be just a suggestion to be ignored. Recently a pedestrian was killed by a motorist speeding on Piedras. The bar traffic at night seems to exacerbate the problem but volume and velocity of vehicles during the day continues to be a hazard.

Residents along Louisiana complain about speeding cars throughout the day but more often late at night or very early in the morning.

Richmond between Piedras and Alabama is a speedway. There are no stop signs between Piedras and Alabama for traffic going east and west. As vehicles often must wait an unduly long time for the light to change at Alabama, drivers often pick-up speed as they approach from the east through the residential area or the west off of Scenic Drive also through a residential area. Indeed, motorists coming off of
Scenic Drive or approaching Louisiana often race to catch the fleeting light at
Alabama.

Since Altura is a chief thoroughfare between Gateway North and South and Alabama, traffic routinely passes through the neighborhood beginning with Alabama. Drivers often speed to catch the light at Piedras going east; or, going west, they race to get to Alabama or crossover to Richmond or speed down Louisiana.

Here are some comments that exemplify the observations, opinions and sentiments of residents:

“The traffic on Alabama is so dangerous especially in the morning/evening when everyone is trying to get to work and school! I am ALWAYS afraid to cross in the
morning for fear of not seeing a car coming so fast up/down Alabama.”

“The Richmond/Louisiana crossing is how many people coming from neighborhoods south of the park get to the park. It isn’t safe without adult supervision, so young kids can’t safely just run up to the park to play (and I think they should be able to).”

“The crossing to the House of Pizza and to 7-11 is not well-lit at night. A woman was killed there about 20 years ago because the driver couldn’t see her. It is really hard to cross because the traffic goes along at a steady rate.”

“People come barreling down on Alabama towards Richmond, especially early in the morning when I sometimes walk, at around 60 miles an hour.”

“Too many vehicles are speeding between Piedras and Alabama on some of these side streets.”

“Cars race down Richmond past the park to catch the light at Richmond and Alabama.”

“Cars racing down Louisiana often wake me in the middle of the night.”

“Piedras is a speedway all day long and is especially dangerous at night with all of the drunk drivers who frequent the numerous bars on Piedras!”

“Cars are going way too fast down Altura.”

“Alabama is getting out of control and we need to act before a tragedy occurs. I am old enough to remember the two little girls who were run over in the early 70's in front of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. There are flashing lights now in place to slow down traffic on each side of the Church so having something similar in place near the park might help our efforts.”

Although the City of El Paso Traffic Management Program will use specific strategies to calm traffic in neighborhoods, it might be helpful to hear neighborhood perceptionsin order to assess the situation. Some suggestions by neighbors
include:

· A 4-Way stop at Richmond and Louisiana

· A 4-Way stop at Richmond and Elm

· A 4 way stop along Alabama between the Richmond light and the light at Memphis and Alabama

· Painted crosswalks or "PARK AREA AHEAD" with some flashing yellow lights as motorists approach Newman Park from the north or the south

· Painted crosswalks on Piedras at Louisville and Lebanon

Of course residents and members of the Newman Park Neighborhood Association will be most grateful for any measures that will calm traffic on the above streets mentioned as well as other neighborhood avenues."