A large and vocal crowd brought their opinions on potential changes to First Avenue East to the public works open house Tuesday at city hall.
Public works officials fielded questions and offered explanations on the potential lane reduction and additions of bike lanes and sidewalks on First Avenue East from approximately East 14th Street to East 28th Street.
“We thought we would have a high turn out and we’re glad to get a lot of good feedback from the citizens,” engineering technician Joe Grife said.
The public was given a chance to voice concerns and get questions answered about potential changes to First Avenue East including changing the four-lane road to three lanes consisting of an east and west bound lane with a center turning lane. Also in the proposed plans is the addition of five foot bike lanes along with sidewalks on both sides of the road.
“Response was about what we expected,” Grife said. “We’re still weighing our options — we don’t have any concrete decisions.”
While a lot of feedback officials heard was not in favor of bike lanes or the switch to three lanes, longtime Newton resident Dennis Landgrebe sees the positives in adding a turning lane to the road.
“I’m all for the center turn lanes. That is what they are doing in all major cities,” Landgrebe said. “It takes a little getting used to, like a roundabout, but sometimes you just have to go with change. It does definitely help with vehicles getting rear-ended.”
Meanwhile, Garfield Berndt III voiced his opposition for part of the changes to First Avenue.
“I don’t think that it is a good idea to do what they have proposed. A two lane with a center turn lane is not going to work very well,” Berndt said. “When it comes to winter time, maintaining the bike lanes will become our responsibility, not something that I personally want to pay for. I just think it is a waste of time, money and effort.”
Burndt was also concerned about the bike lanes being placed on both sides of the road.
“With it being First Avenue and Highway 6, that is a major thoroughfare. I personally don’t think it would be safe, whether there is a bike lane or not, for bicycles to be going out that far anyway,” Berndt said. “Having at bike lane in the sidewalk, I don’t have a problem with that.”
Citizens will get another chance to express their thoughts and make inquires into the changes at a second open house scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 4 at city hall.
“We just hope to keep moving forward and come up with a solution that benefits everyone and make things work a little better on First Avenue,” Grife said.
Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com