4-way stop sign will be added at Redwood and Elm

If you’re one of those who’s used to ignoring the 25 mph speed limit on East Redwood Avenue, especially between Oak Street and Highway 59, Sallisaw is implementing measures to slow down traffic on the residential street adjacent to NHS Sequoyah Hospital, Perry F. Lattimore Stadium and Stanley H. Collins Aquatic Center, currently under construction.

City commissioners on Monday approved adding a four-way stop at Redwood and Elm, which Sallisaw police believe will significantly slow down traffic on Redwood, as well as help manage traffic during high-traffic times, such as football games, soccer matches, rodeos and other events.

In addition to the four-way stop signs, two crosswalks at the hospital will be made more visible, which is expected to include signage alerting drivers of the crosswalks and the presence of pedestrians. Also, there will be a continued police presence along Redwood to encourage drivers to obey the 25 mph speed limit.

Adding the four-way stop and emphasizing the crosswalks were in response to a petition initiated by Kyle Day in August asking that speed bumps or speed tables be installed on Redwood from Oak to Highway 59.

The petition received 13 signatures, which met the 75% threshold for residents along the targeted two-block segment. City policy also requires the city to perform speed surveys and vehicle counts. The city doesn’t have the ability to conduct speed surveys, but vehicle counts from Sept. 9 to Sept. 23 showed 38,575 at Redwood near Oak, and 36,886 at Redwood near Highway 59.

But according to Police Chief Terry Franklin, the police department has actively addressed speeding concerns. Officers have monitored the area and have made traffic stops. Franklin said there have not been significant instances of excessive speeding in the area, but pointed out that the area of Redwood at Elm has a higher propensity for speeding.

In weighing solutions, city staff recommended installing Tapco solar LED blinker stop signs at the intersection as an alternative to speed bumps or speed tables. It was noted that speed bumps can cause hazards for kids riding bikes and for vehicles, and would also slow emergency vehicles. In addition, when streets need clearing after snowfalls, speed bumps could be damaged.

Should the four-way stop and crosswalk emphases not solve the problem, the commissioners will consider the addition of speed bumps and/or speed tables as additional alternatives for slowing traffic.

According to the city’s administrative policy, the city shall address traffic control in a manner that is beneficial to the community. The primary goals of the policy include, but are not limited to:

• Reduce the speed of vehicles on residential streets when a traffic issue is identified and proven

• Increase safety of residential streets

• Implement selective enforcement actions in neighborhoods

• Eliminate or discourage non-local or cut-through traffic on residential streets.

The policy also specifies that traffic signals should only be installed when they are warranted as determined by an engineering study. Requests for traffic signals are evaluated based on:

• Location of intersection

• Excessive side street volumes

• Pedestrian delays and/or pedestrian safety

• Crash history

• Flow of traffic along a major street

• Side street delays

• Traffic patterns and flow