During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on enhancing pedestrian and bicycle safety along Franklin Avenue, following a referral from the Ped Bike Transit committee. The committee is exploring potential improvements as part of a broader street redesign initiative aimed at integrating safety measures into urban planning.

The urgency of the matter was highlighted by concerns over the project timeline, with officials aiming to finalize bids by December or January. However, complications arose regarding funding, as resources had been redirected to cover the design costs for another project, referred to as \"high road.\" This shift necessitated a review of the budget to ensure adequate financing for the Franklin Avenue improvements.

An engineer was tasked with providing preliminary cost estimates for the proposed design changes, with expectations to present these figures by the next meeting on November 11. This timeline is crucial for aligning with the council's schedule, as the amendment to the project will be discussed on November 19.

Committee members expressed the need for a more systematic approach to addressing safety requests, referencing a past incident where a child was struck by a vehicle. They emphasized the importance of having objective criteria for evaluating such requests to ensure timely and effective responses in the future.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to solicit additional costs from the engineer, marking a step forward in the ongoing efforts to enhance safety measures in the community. A brief recess was called, allowing members to attend to personal needs before reconvening to continue discussions.