City staff propose redesign of East Maple–East Mami intersection to shorten pedestrian crossing and reduce crashes

City staff presented a safety-focused proposal to reconfigure the East Maple–East Mami intersection to reduce crossing distance for pedestrians and lower turning speeds, saying realignment ahead of planned Maple A construction would be the most efficient time to build the change.

Staff described five recorded crashes at the location over a nine-year period—mostly sideswipes and collisions attributed to drivers veering into the wide intersection—and proposed narrowing and realigning the intersection so it would have a roughly 45-foot crossing rather than the current 120–128 feet. The design phase is estimated at about $20,000, and construction could be incorporated into the Maple A project planned for the fall.

Engineers said the redesign aims to make the intersection function as a proper cross intersection (aligned with South Dean Street) so drivers turn into the intersection instead of veering, improving sight lines and pedestrian safety. "Our goal here is to slim down the intersection, make it more pedestrian friendly, and allow people to actually turn into it as it is an intersection rather than veer into it," staff said.

Commissioners requested targeted resident notice for the small number of homes potentially affected, asked staff to consider a temporary trial using cones to mimic the proposed alignment, and asked for additional outreach before final design decisions. No design contract or appropriation was approved at the meeting; staff sought direction to proceed with design work and public notice before the next meeting.