SIDNEY — Several options on how to make the the intersection of Wilkinson Avenue and state Route 47 safer were reviewed by Sidney City Council Monday night.
Gary Clough, assistant city manager, presented six different proposals for the intersection.
“The sight distance issue is a big concern,” said Clough. Drivers on Wilkinson Avenue, he said, can’t see ongoing traffic which is traveling westbound on state Route 47. Vehicles going south on Wilkinson Avenue can’t see traffic coming on state Route 47.
One option, said Clough, is to do nothing at all with the intersection.
A second option is to close Wilkinson Avenue on the north side of state Route 47 so traffic cannot get onto state Route 47. Traffic from state Route 47 would not be able to turn onto the northbound Wilkinson Road.
An island barrier could be placed in in the middle of Wilkinson Avenue. This would prevent drivers from turning left onto state Route 47. But, said Clough, it doesn’t deal with the line of sight problem.
A direction island on Wilkinson Avenue on the north side of state Route 47 is another option, said Clough. This would stop any southbound movements from Wilkinson but would allow left and right turns onto Wilkinson from state Route 47.
Another option calls for a barrier to be placed on the southbound lane on Wilkinson. Traffic could still turn from state Route 47 onto Wilkinson, but there would be no access from Wilkinson to state Route 47.
Another option, he said, which is no longer being considered, is the round-about.
In all the options, Wilkinson Avenue south of state Route 47 would remain the same.
Discussion was held on whether fire trucks would have access to the area was held. Chief Brad Jones said if Wilkinson was closed, station 1 would have access to the properties from Poplar Street. A problem might arise if additional trucks are needed and they are responding from station 2 on Vandemark Road.
When asked which option would be least expensive, Clough said while that hasn’t been determined, he feels each option would cost about the same.
Councilman Steve Wagner said if Wilkinson Avenue, north of state Route 47 is closed, that will create more problems around the railroad trestle. And it would put more traffic onto Railroad Street, which “isn’t really a street,” said Wagner.
Vice Mayor Mardie Milligan said she likes the options which eliminates the right hand turn from Wilkinson Avenue onto state Route 47.
Michael L. Cole, of Sidney, owner of Route 47 Storage, which is located on Wilkinson Avenue, said he opposes the option of doing nothing with the intersection. He doesn’t like the option of closing the intersection entirely. He said he could go for the dedicated right hand turn option.
“I’m in favor of doing something to help the situation,” said Cole.
Clough said a decision needs to be made in the next couple of weeks so the project can be submitted to ODOT.
Council will discuss the matter further at its July 10 meeting and come up with recommendation of which option to select.
Resident John Laws thanked the street department for its quick action when a tree came down in a storm on Friday. The tree was cleaned up in an hour, he said.
Amy Breinich, Sidney Alive executive director,, and Sarah Barr, Raise the Roof for the Arts/Sidney Historic Theatre executive director, thanked council for its support of the first block party concert which was held Saturday night. They estimate there were 2,000 people in attendance and $7,000 in beer sales.
“I’d like to give a shout out to the community,” said Barr. “The trash we had to clean up was minimal. The food truck sold out of its food.”
Breinich said 30 volunteers helped with the concert.
“Overall it was just great,” she said. “Thanks for taking a chance on us.”
They said people from Circleville, Lima and Dayton attended the concert, in addition to all the local residents.
The second block party will be held Saturday, July 29. A third concert will be held Aug. 26.
