READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE—INCLUDING THE TOP 6 ISSUES ON ATTENDEES’ MINDS
Just like the lanes of Highway 20 on a summer day, January’s Let’s Talk about local transportation was, in a word, “full”…
The room was full: We enjoyed a large turnout. 36 attendees. There were many familiar faces plus nine participants who had never been to a Let’s Talk. We appreciate you all joining us on this third Monday of the month.
The discussion was full, too. Attendees offered thoughts on a slew of traffic-related topics. Facilitator Pete Shepherd’s analytical but always well-humored style inspired a genial atmosphere and potent sharing. And how appropriate that Mitch Luftig’s skill-building exercise illustrated how successful communication surely is a two-way street. (Read about the exercise below.)
THANK YOU, PETE AND MITCH!
Also, thank you to our informative guests—Sisters City Manager Cory Misley and Oregon Department of Transportation regional manager Gary Farnsworth. Cory and Gary listened, fielded questions and offered expert insight.
TRAFFIC SAFETY, ROUNDABOUT ON CITY’S RADAR
Cory noted that last fall the City of Sisters conducted a survey to gauge community perceptions about local public safety. “The biggest threat that came back was traffic safety,” he said. (View the survey report HERE>>)
“The biggest threat that came back was traffic safety.” —Cory Misley
He also said the City and ODOT are working closely to advance the long-planned Locust Street and Hwy. 20 roundabout. That roundabout, along with several bike and pedestrian projects, is included in the City’s Transportation System Plan (TSP); and implementing that plan is a priority identified by community members in the Sisters Country Vision Action Plan. (The TSP is posted on the City’s Public Works/Streets page HERE>>)
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS A MUST AS VEHICLE COUNTS RISE
Gary said ODOT is definitely taking note as it sees Hwy. 20 traffic through Sisters increasing. ODOT measured 19,000 vehicles traveling through the city on a peak day in mid-August; and the average July weekday sees about 12,000 vehicles.
The City, County and ODOT are approaching the issue “from every single angle,” he said, adding: “Road improvements can help optimize traffic flow, but it’s going to take more than those pieces of infrastructure.”
“Road improvements can help optimize traffic flow, but it’s going to take more than those pieces of infrastructure.” —Gary Farnsworth
So ODOT is looking to creative solutions, Gary said; but a highway bypass that sees traffic diverted completely around and away from Sisters is not among the items being considered.
PARTICIPANTS OFFER THEIR TOP ISSUES
After engaging with Cory and Gary, each participant was asked to share the top three issues that come to mind when they hear: “Sisters Country Transportation.” Participants then split into groups to discuss the six most-mentioned issues.
However, participants were asked to be in a group that was not discussing one of their personal “top three” picks. That gave participants an opportunity to consider their (and others’) opinions on a topic that’s clearly important to some but perhaps not on their own radar.
THE SIX TOPICS, AND SOME TAKE-AWAYS FROM THE GROUPS DISCUSSING THEM, WERE:
• ROUNDABOUTS
“Roundabouts work but people need to know how to use them,” this group said. Some local residents still aren’t comfortable using the existing roundabout. Education is key; and perhaps the Nugget Newspaper could be used as an outreach tool. Also, local representatives could visit or talk to other cities, like Bend, to find out what tools those cities used to educate motorists, so roundabouts could be used more comfortably, safely and efficiently.
• ROADWAY PLANNING
This group noted: Considering there’s a highway coming through town and a complete bypass of Sisters is not among ODOT’s planned solutions, what about a couplet to split traffic? (For example: Hood Avenue becomes an eastbound, one-way street; and Main Avenue becomes a westbound, one-way street.) “We decided we could live with that,” the group spokesperson said—with the idea that truck traffic would be diverted [onto Barclay via the roundabout(s)].
• WALKING & BIKE PATHS
“We need to raise the commitment level for bikeways and pathways,” this group reported, noting that “lots of public input” and coordinated advocacy—by the City, ODOT, Forest Service and County—would help drive the issue. The group’s spokesperson added: “Walking and bicycling are part of our culture here. We need better connection between our local communities and that would help alleviate car traffic.”
“Walking and bicycling are part of our culture here. We need better connection between our local communities…
• TRANSIT & ELDER TRANSPORTATION
“We should find long-term funding for STARS,” this group said. (STARS is a Sisters-based transit program for area seniors. It’s just getting started locally and will connect local volunteer drivers with those who need rides to medical appointments. Recognizing the lack of other transit options, members of Age Friendly Sisters Country sought and earned a grant allowing them to pilot the program.) Somewhat tongue-in-cheek, the group’s reporter also suggested capitalizing on the high volume of tourist vehicles that daily pass through Sisters by collecting $1 per car. “I’m only half-joking, though,” the group’s reporter added, chuckling. Laughing along, the audience asked when he was planning to hit the highway with bucket in hand.
• PEDESTRIAN/TRAFFIC SAFETY
“We need better lighting.”
“We need more ways to alert drivers to pedestrians,” this group reported. They said some well-used Hwy. 20 intersections downtown are particularly dangerous, even though they are marked crossings. “At night, cars and trucks don’t stop,” the group noted. “We need better lighting.” Participants floated the idea of strip lights embedded into the pavement to further illuminate some key pedestrian crosswalks—like crossings near Dutch Brothers, Cork Cellars and Sisters Saloon. Group members also said they loved seeing people use the crossing flags located at several intersections downtown.
• CONGESTION
This group reported: The community needs good planning and more enforcement, plus more education about enforcement. Group members also said it’s important to finish the next roundabout (i.e., Locust Street) so that version of a “bypass” can help divert at least some traffic off Cascade Avenue.
‘EXPERTS’ BECAME LEARNERS
While Let’s Talk is not geared around solving problems, ideas about solutions often do pour from the conversations. At its core, Let’s Talk emphasizes learning about local topics, building communication skills and discussing diverse opinions and personal experiences in a way that keeps lines of communication open even when there is strong disagreement.
As a side note, both Cory and Gary said that although they were invited as the “expert” guests, they also learned quite a lot from the discussion.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE…CURIOUS ABOUT THAT COMMUNICATIONS SKILL-BUILDING ACTIVITY FROM THE JANUARY LET’S TALK?
HERE YOU GO:
Attendees were asked to take pen and pad in hand and draw a complex pattern of shapes based only on a verbal description—no peeking! During the first round their drawings were based only on the dictates of a Designated Speaker. No back-and-forth communication or clarifying questions were allowed. But, during a second round, attendees could engage in a true conversation with the Designated Speaker. They could ask clarifying and other followup questions. Not surprisingly, participants reported drawing their second-round patterns went more smoothly.
IF WE MISSED YOU IN JANUARY, CONSIDER JOINING US FOR LET’S TALK ON THE THIRD MONDAY IN FEBRUARY.
Read about February’s Let’s Talk HERE >>