JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
During South Pittsburg’s recent city meeting, Vice Mayor Matt Stone discussed the idea of adding a bike lane and new sidewalks to the community.
Stone explained the idea came to him based on a discussion from an agenda item that was presented to the previous board years ago. The item at the time was about adding a new bike lane alongside new sidewalks for residents living within Districts 3 and 4 in South Pittsburg. He shared interest in revisiting the item, and making the potential project a reality.
“There’s a turn lane that’s not used a whole lot in District 4 from BP Gas down,” said Stone. “We could creatively do something for the citizens down there.”
As the discussion progressed, Commissioner Mike Allen questioned if whether any of the speed limits in Districts 3 or 4 would need to be re-evaluated to accommodate the new bike lane. Stone said that drafting, alongside additional guidance, is required to be conducted, as the turn lane currently placed on the stretch of road would be done away with to make room for the bike lane.
“That would create an additional five to six feet on each side,” said Stone. “There would have to be safety precautions in the drawings.”
Ultimately, the agenda item was taken note by the city’s Board of Mayor & Commissioners, particuarlily by City Administrator Michael Hudson, who mentioned he would look further into the matter to see what can be done to possibly get the project into full motion.