Commissioners discuss temporary speed cushions, Main Street lane changes and DOT Revive 35 planning grant

Several Dayton residents used the Jan. 15 public comment period to raise traffic and street-safety concerns, and the commission discussed both short-term and longer-term responses.

Resident concerns
- Nessa Chin (who gave her address) said she objects to requiring speakers to say their address out loud on the record and listed local traffic complaints, including a one-way configuration on Main Street that she said is creating heavy congestion.
- Multiple residents criticized the placement of temporary speed cushions on Gettysburg Avenue, saying they are spaced too closely and increase fuel use and wear for compliant drivers; one resident urged longer spacing so speed cushions better serve to reduce high-speed incidents.
- Kevin Keller said speeding on East Third Street is dangerous, described recent collisions near his home and suggested mobile speed cameras or other traffic-calming measures.

Commission and staff responses
Commissioners and staff described the Gettysburg speed cushions as temporary; commissioners said those measures were requested by community members to reduce high-rate speeding and that a longer-term street renovation contract is planned for the corridor. Commissioners indicated that Main Street reconfiguration work is intended to improve walkability and calm traffic; city staff agreed to follow up with residents on whether the one-lane condition is temporary or permanent.

Grant announcement
Commissioner Shaw announced that the city received a U.S. Department of Transportation Reconnecting Communities grant for the Revive 35 planning project. Shaw credited city staff and the city manager’s office for pursuing grants that support transportation and infrastructure planning.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to follow up with commenters about mobile camera deployment and long-term street redesign plans and encouraged residents to report specific locations and times when speeding or unsafe driving occurs.