By Paula Scott

The Village of Ada Council held a special meeting of the whole at Community Health Profesionals on June 13 to give residents an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on proposals to improve safety at the intersection of Main St. and Buckeye Ave. 

Council is considering whether to turn the two blocks of Buckeye adjacent to Main into a one-way eastbound street and whether to create angle parking on the south side of Buckeye. Additional meetings on this subject are anticipated.

The intersection is currently avoided by village staff and police officers because of poor sight lines for drivers turning from Buckeye onto Main Street. If the proposed changes are not approved, parking spots would have to be eliminated to improve drivers’ ability to safely navigate the intersection.

Information was provided by Village Administrator Jamie Hall, Police Chief Alec Cooper and Matt Going of Choice One engineering firm. The meeting was attended by some 20 individuals in addition to Mayor Dave Retterer and council members Jason Campbell, Linda Mason, Jeff Oestrich and Bob Simmons. The audience included several business owners and downtown apartment dwellers.

Chief Cooper noted that day shift officers don’t use the intersection and that when cruisers are approaching Main with lights and sirens, northbound drivers cannot see the lights. He also explained that in the past two years there have been two accidents at this location, one involving a parked car.

Matt Going explained the concept of “conflict points” where there is potential for crashes and how one-way traffic reduces them. A 4-way intersection has 32 conflict points; 12-13 conflict points can be removed by making Buckeye one-way. Methods that are not available in this location include removing buildings, modifying Main St. traffic flow and adding a traffic signal. Past studies show that Main St. does not have enough traffic to receive a warrant for a signal from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Discussion included how the proposed configuration would impact delivery drivers with large trucks and whether residents living in nearby apartments would still be able to park overnight.

Council is considering the option of reverse angle parking, which reduces accidents. It is a relatively new design that Going said generates some complaints initially, but is also safer for children exiting vehicles and better for emptying and filling vehicles. It is preferred for individuals with disabilities.

Amber Simon of the Buckeye East coffee shop noted that there currently is an issue with a few young drivers pulling into curbside parking from the wrong direction, even after having been ticketed.

Cost estimates for signage and painting are $8-12,000; additional curb work could increase costs to $15-18,000.

Mayor Retterer concluded the meeting by saying “everything you have to say, we are interested.” A total of three public meetings are anticipated on this topic.