Hilbert responds to NRN on Hermitage/Laburnum roundabout
Third District City Councilman Chris Hilbert has issued a statement to North Richmond News about the proposed traffic roundabout at Hermitage Road and Laburnum Avenue:
There has been a lot of discussion over the past months regarding a proposed traffic roundabout at the intersection of Hermitage Road and Laburnum Ave., when the A.P.. Hill Monument and grave site reside. It is a good thing that the city administration is looking into ways to make this difficult intersection a safer place to travel. The traffic engineering department was invited on multiple occasions to come to the 3rd District held on the fourth Wednesday of every month, but declined. To their credit, the traffic engineering department held two meetings in the community and went before the Committee of Architectural Review and the Planning Commission. On July 7th, the Planning Commission gave its final approval with one dissenting vote, which came from the Commissioner who lives two blocks from this intersection. Despite these hearing and forums, people who had attended several or most of these meetings, told me that their questions were not being addressed or being treated in a dismissive manner. Some of the folks that approached me have been formally trained in these matters.It was at that time that I intervened and introduced an ordinance to prohibit the roundabout at the end of the July 14, 2008 City Council meeting. Even before it was introduced, during the Council meeting, I wrote an email to the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer over Public Works and copied the Presidents of the 3 civic associations that surround this intersection informing them that this action was taken not because I was necessarily opposed to the roundabout but that citizens still had legitimate questions about it.
School Board member Carol Wolf has said that her questions were responded to by the traffic engineering department. I am glad that happened and hope that continues to be case for all citizens. However, it is important to note that her questions were not responded to until after the Ordinance prohibiting the roundabout was introduced.
People who are raising questions about this issue are being labeled as opponents of this project. I disagree; we are simply seeking answers. In this particular case, there are 3 civic associations which abut this intersection and there is not uniformity in their opinions. Bellevue Civic Association has given their full support for the project as currently proposed. Rosedale Civic Association has stated support for the project “provided that it has been well and thoughtfully prepared.” Finally, Ginter Park Residents Association has not yet officially taken a position on this matter.
As a Council representative, it is my duty to make sure that our city government is responsive and accountable to its taxpaying citizens. It was my responsibility to step in when my constituents’ legitimate questions were going unanswered. Some feel that they have sufficient information and are supportive of this roundabout. However, today, I am not there. Here’s my pledge to you: if and when convinced of the roundabout’s merit, the ordinance that would prohibit this roundabout will be withdrawn.
Chris Hilbert
How many people have to die?
Bear — You nailed it. Additionally,how many accidents have to happen?
That is great representation for the district – outlaw something first and THEN start talking about it. wtf?
This feels like Hilbert, once again, being difficult for difficult sake against whatever the administration tries to move forward. It is getting very, very old. Enough is enough. Citizens questions were asked and answered and the neighborhoods support this round about. Just because his ego was not properly stroked does not make this a bad plan.
Great comment, Bear. In the 28 years I have lived on Northside, I have seen more accidents at this intersection than at any other. It has always perplexed me why they happen.
My concerns regarding the safety of our children trying to cross Laburnum Ave. on foot or bikes are amplified by this intersection’s “wreck record.”
I do not know whether Traffic Engineering contacted RPS before or after Chris Hilbert’s ordinance being introduced. I am checking on that and will let everyone know as soon as I do.
Nonetheless, something must be done to make this intersection safer. Those who have hesitation on this simply need more information. I am certain that the proponents can bring forward addition information in a manner that will inform EVERYONE in our community and not pit one neighborhood association against another or one neighbor against another.
We all want the same thing — a safe intersection. Northside is a great place to live and I hope that the traffic engineering department honchos can open themselves to answering all questions that remain.
They could even answer them on this website. Therefore, I invite those who have concerns to state them so they can get answers.
Not everyone can attend every public meeting that happens. Yet, the onus should be upon the city to make this information available in a manner that results in reaching “the many” instead of the “the few.” E pluribus unum.
So, how about? Post your concerns and questions and then it is up to traffic engineering to be as fully forthcoming and transparent about this as it take to make sure everyone is operating from the same set of facts.
a couple of unfortunate typoes in the above posting ….
Great comment, Bear. In the 28 years I have lived on Northside, I have seen more accidents at this intersection than at any other. It has always perplexed me why they happen.
My concerns regarding the safety of our children trying to cross Laburnum Ave. on foot or bikes are amplified by this intersection’s “wreck record.”
I do not know whether Traffic Engineering contacted RPS before or after Chris Hilbert’s ordinance being introduced. I am checking on that and will let everyone know as soon as I do.
Nonetheless, something must be done to make this intersection safer. Those who have hesitation on this simply need more information. I am certain that the proponents can bring forward additional information in a manner that will inform EVERYONE in our community and not pit one neighborhood association against another or one neighbor against another.
We all want the same thing — a safe intersection. Northside is a great place to live and I hope that the traffic engineering department honchos can open themselves to answering all questions that remain.
They could even answer them on this website. Therefore, I invite those who have concerns to state them so they can get answers.
Not everyone can attend every public meeting that happens. Yet, the onus should be upon the city to make this information available in a manner that results in reaching “the many” instead of the “the few.” E pluribus unum.
So, how about? Post your concerns and questions and then it is up to traffic engineering to be as fully forthcoming and transparent about this as it takes to make sure everyone is operating from the same set of facts.
As President of the Ginter Park Residents Association, I greatly appreciate Councilman Hilbert’s efforts to make sure change in the A.P. Hill intersection is the improvement the traffic engineering department claims it is.
I spoke at the roundabout hearing at the July 7 Planning Commission meeting. The GPRA position on the ordinance was “undecided” due to the many questions that had been raised by concerned residents, including homeowners on Laburnum and others with an engineering backgound. These questions were not sufficiently answered at the presentations at Holton and St. Thomas.
The safety data presented on roundabouts is compelling, however, multi-lane roundabouts are not as safe as single- lane roundabouts according to the 2007 USDOT studies: “Roundabouts in the US” and “Tools of Countermeasures … for Intersection crashes”. It has remained unclear in presentations whether the data being presented is for two lane roundabouts only and also, where that data came from.
A new traffic analysis of the area was not done. Two-lane roundabouts work best when traffic is equal from all directions. There is more traffic on Laburnum, although the traffic department says it’s “about the same.” This is not the experience of those of us who go through the intersection at rush hour.
Other alternatives to a roundabout were not reviewed. Improved signal warning signs, traffic calming rumble strips and brick crosswalks were not reviewed or considered.
The traffic department says that the roundabout is not designed to handle the race traffic–fair enough. What plans are in place to handle the traffic with the new roundabout configuration? None, we were told.
With no traffic study, how do we gauge the potential impact of drivers cutting through the surrounding neighborhoods to avoid the roundabout at rush hour and during the races?
These are among the questions and concerns that have been brought to our Board. If they can be sufficiently answered, our position will change to one of support. Councilman Hilbert’s ordinance will allow time for these questions to be addressed.
Meg Lawrence, President
Ginter Park Resident’s Association
Good questions, indeed. But how would making an ordinance illegal answer your questions? If it passed, why would anyone then waste time answering questions to a problem they know they could not solve? That is completely backwards!
I understand Meg’s questions and concerns, but I don’t quite “get” what you are trying to say:
“But how would making an ordinance illegal answer your questions? If it passed, why would anyone then waste time answering questions to a problem they know they could not solve? That is completely backwards!”
Say what? Seems pretty simple to me … all traffic engineering needs to do is answer the questions. What’s the big deal about being transparent and accountable? What is “backwards” about expecting answers from the city when they are proposing solutions to community issues?
For the sake of the Second & Third Districts, as well as the families and community members actively engaged in Holton School, all people really want are some additional answers. RPS and I got answers, why shouldn’t neighborhood associations?
Again, we all want the same thing. We are all on the same side. The sooner we can get answers, the sooner we move forward.
Ms. Wolf: Mr Hilbert even said your questions were answered, and even if they were answered after the ordinance, then why hang it over the traffic people’s head? That sounds like a bully tactic the Councilman himself often says he despises and is hung over the heads of all in the neighborhood and those of us that use that wretched intersection.
Two groups already said they support it. Did they decide with incomplete information?
Notice how he states that only after he is personally satisfied will he withdraw the ordinance. Two civic groups support and one is undecided, but not until HE is conviced will it be pulled.
He is wrong in making that decision based on his personal convincing and not the wishes of the residents or the people that are professionals in their field. Last I checked he was a housing expert, not a road expert.
He is right to make sure government is responsive, but is he waiting for a 100% positive response? Sometimes being a leader means taking a stand. If you stand in the middle of the road you get run over. If you stand in the middle of a roundabout they go around you.
again, we have someone in the political section of Richmond “playing” polotician again. Thank goodness that’s why we have elections. As commented, let’s disagree with something, then discuss it. wow….unbelievable sometimes. But that’s the Richmond system I suppose. Wonder if this would be discussed if it was a raise for city council?
While being a person who was previously in favor of the new roundabout at this intersection, I have to commend Councilman Hilbert for 1)Doing his job and standing up as a representative for ALL of his constituents and making sure that their voices are heard before action is taken and 2)Issuing this explanation.
While I’m at it, thank you North Richmond News for posting this. I may not have heard an explanation for the “hold” otherwise.
I’m sure that once the concerns have been addressed by the traffic engineering department, we’ll all have a greater sense of confidence in the direction initially proposed or wonder why these questions weren’t answered earlier.
Then why did Chris Hilbert not come to the public meetings that were held? Why wasn’t he there asking questions?? He didn’t come because those were “administration” meetings and he doesn’t participate in them. I am so sick of this I can barely wait for November. He threw a tantrum like a child – holding his breath until his face turned blue. Enough! To throw this monkey wrench into something that is so needed is ridiculous. If Chris Hilbert was so upfront and straight forward with his “concerns” than why did it come as such a shock to us???? He is in a battle of wills with the administration and the citizens are once again the fodder. In my opinion, Chris Hilbert has let his animosity with the administration overcome any good judgment he had.
I am sick of political spin and I am sick of EVERY issue coming to a stand still until the proper egos are massaged. Enough is enough. This debacle is the final straw as far as I am concerned. November cannot get here soon enough.
“Anonymous” — I don’t know whether you are asking me a question or simply expressing your opinion.
If you would like to ask a question, I am happy to answer it. I am already clearly on the record as far as my opinions and concerns about that “wretched” intersection and its “wreck record” and am glad to know that we agree something must be done.
posted by Anonymous at July 31, 2008 8:22 pm :
Ms. Wolf: Mr Hilbert even said your questions were answered, and even if they were answered after the ordinance, then why hang it over the traffic people’s head? That sounds like a bully tactic the Councilman himself often says he despises and is hung over the heads of all in the neighborhood and those of us that use that wretched intersection.
Thank you Councilman Hilbert for taking a step forward to properly represent ALL of your constituents and asking for further explanation/answers (outlined in the GPRA president’s post above). While some folks are comfortable w/ the information already received, ALL obviously are not & they too deserve the answers they seek and I appreciate Mr. Hilbert facilitating this so that everyone can feel well informed on this issue.
[...] In the latest issue of his Visions newsletter, Mayor Doug Wilder says the delay of the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Hermitage Road and Laburnum Avenue “could force the abandonment of the project.” The roundabout, one of two on the boards for North Richmond, was put on hold by 3rd District Councilman Chris Hilbert in July. Hilbert explained his reasons for the hold in a letter to North Richmond News. [...]
I am so glad that this was stopped. I wrote a letter to Councilman Hilbert regarding the proposed roundabout. As a person that uses this intersection every day and lives on Laburnum, I think a roundabout without lights is ludicrous. People just don’t know how to use them. Just adding an arrow to the street lights would fix this problem! Look ahead to Nascar race days. Will anyone make it through the intersection without a traffic light? Why are “children” crossing a busy city street by themselves anyway? You can’t blame the road for a parent’s lack of judgment. A crossing guard is out there to direct school children when school is open. I had wondered why the construction never started and now I am glad to know why.
Hilbert is useless, didnt attend the meeting to find out all the research done on the roundabout and how many lives it saves in similar cities where it is in use. Didnt investigate to get answers to any questions he may have had and now Northside is subject of another political blunder.
Go Hilbert!
Sam, please do us all a favor and get your facts right. Hilbert did attend the meeting, he has gathered statistics and fought to get the right information before making a decision. The city informed citizens that a roundabout would decrease injury accidents by 75%, however, they failed to mention that that was for a single lane roundabout only. What we’re talking about here is a multi-lane roundabout. Hilbert worked to get the right statistics and worked with the existing COO of the City to make the right adjustments to the roundabout so that it would be safe for all. Last night he attended the Bellevue Civic Assn traffic committee meeting, along with a city representative and together they announced that they had come to an agreed resolution of how to design the best roundabout for the city. The only political blunder that exists is Wilder’s ridiculous “Visions” newsletter. He sent out an announcement that Hilbert didn’t do what he had promised to do, but it was Wilder who didn’t even know what negotiations were going on in his own administration. This was confirmed last night at the BCA meeting and by city administrators.
You’re right, it is GO Hilbert! We should have elected officials who fight for us to make sure we’re getting the best and safest roundabout.
Anonymous:
What is the agreed resolution to the roundabout? Will it go forward?
David
Chris Hilbert endorsed by the Democratic Party
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/search.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-10-24-0158.html
[...] Councilman Hilbert and will be voted on tonight — eleven months later. Councilman Hilbert has consistently been against constructing the roundabout saying “the community is not accepting of this [...]
[...] Councilman Hilbert and will be voted on tonight — eleven months later. Councilman Hilbert has consistently been against constructing the roundabout saying “the community is not accepting of this [...]