Through the rain-spotted windshield, the first of three speed bumps on N.W. Grandview Drive on Monday afternoon.
On the bike a couple of weeks ago, I noticed new speed bumps on Grandview Drive in North Albany and did not give them further thought. Then someone asked about them on Facebook, saying they were hard to see and should be better marked.
That must have been before the orange “BUMP” warning was posted.
When I first noticed the bumps, they looked almost like some neighbors had gone ahead on their own and piled up some asphalt to slow traffic down. But no, that’s not what happened, as I learned from Ron Irish, the city of Albany’s street guru.
“They were installed by the developer of the Pheasant Run subdivision,” Irish emailed me Monday. “Residents along Grandview raised concerns about traffic related issues during the land use process for the subdivision. In response to those concerns the developer offered to install speed humps on Grandview. The city agreed to issue a permit for the work after receiving a petition showing that more than half of the property owners along the street supported the installation.”
A little while later, Irish followed up: “Just heard back from the inspector on the project. The installation is only partially completed and some work remains to be done. … Striping is one of the items yet to be completed.”
There are three of these shallow speed bumps on Grandview between Gibson Hill and Dover. On Laura Vista Drive a couple of blocks to the west, there are speed bumps too, and they are marked with white stripes.
Speed bumps are mostly an annoyance to drivers, I believe, unless they live there. On the bike, I avoid them by rolling through the gaps. (hh)
Speed bumps are expensive.
Speed bumps interfere with emergency vehicles.
Speed bumps may reduce property values.
Speed bumps contribute to global warming.
Speed bumps encourage dangerous driving behavior.
Speed bumps damage vehicles.
Driver feedback signs are more effective and less annoying. A win-win.
Why does the City of Albany continue to permit old technology when new, more effective solutions are available? It doesn’t make sense.
The homeowners asked for it. And they were put in by the developer, not the city.
Hmmm… Gordon, you have me worried. Here you want government intervention to stop the people from getting what they want.
Are you leaving the Dark Side to become part of The Force? ;-)
Bob, I’m a little worried about your lack of comprehension.
“The homeowners asked for it.” Nobody disputes this fact.
“And they were put in by the developer, not the city.” Nobody disputes this fact.
Like I mentioned, what is questionable – the city issuing a permit.
City government won’t allow the homeowners to pursue their own “solution”, so it imposes a requirement to get city permission.
Given an authoritarian government, why would the city permit a “solution” that is so obviously wrong and unsafe?
Maybe if the City would open Sunny from Dover to Gibson Hill AND Whitmore to Gibson Hill AND Dover to Crocker we would not have the traffic volume from the two large subdivisions north of Dover on Grandview Drive. Ihave never heard clear explanations of why they were not completed through ways, only that some like it that way. Seems there are legal remedies to opening them if City so desired.
The city doesn’t build roads. The developers of the properties are required to put in roads when they build. If there are lots between the end of their property and the nearest street the next developer will put them in.
You don’t want to pay the cost to put in new roads. The expense is really high and you’d have to pay new taxes to cover the costs.
And what would those solutions be? Spike strips? Signs that nobody reads?
A regular commenter seems to take exception to gummint actions he doesn’t approve personally. It’s not clear what solution would resolve things, short of dissolution.
Totalitarian is a lousy option.
Anarchy is a lousy option
While what we have is far from perfect, it is a functionsl compromise that delivers the most good to the most people.
Amen.
Well, it seems Post Democracy is here. Alive and upon us.
Surely, Gordon will be happy. From wherever he/she is.
I’ve always thought that the two arrogant, online bully’s (Gordon and Bob) were “ghostwritten in by Hasso for their “comitic effect”.
STG
Nah, that would require that he had multiple personality disorder.
Besides, other readers have prior personal knowledge of them.
I wonder if they’re really as nasty as they sound? Maybe need “professional” help.