We are disappointed by the Savannah City Council’s decision to dismiss the Whitaker and Drayton Street traffic calming proposal presented by the Savannah Development and Renewal Authority at the March 30 City Council workshop. Despite ample evidence that the SDRA proposal (download PDF) would both reduce crashes and deliver economic benefits, council endorsed a counter-proposal that will not be as effective in improving the safety of those who walk, ride bikes, or drive motor vehicles.

That proposal, submitted by the City’s Traffic Engineering Department, maintained design changes are not needed. Traffic Engineering recommended, among other measures, an education campaign aimed at people who ride bikes and walk as a strategy for addressing the alarming increase in car crashes. The traffic engineering report suggested concerns over safety were mostly a matter of perception, but offered to install pedestrian signals at some intersections and relocate a tourist trolley stop. Also proposed was an expansion of the Forsyth Park perimeter sidewalk to allow cycling. That idea would likely require the removal of trees and other vegetation, its projected half million dollar cost is not currently budgeted, and it would do nothing to improve safety on Whittaker and Drayton streets.

The SDRA proposal was endorsed by the Downtown Neighborhood Association, the Downtown Business Association, the Tourism Leadership Council, the Ardsley Park-Chatham Crescent Neighborhood Association, Healthy Savannah and Georgia Bikes. We remain committed to working with these and other partners — and City Council — to advance sensible and forward-thinking efforts to make Savannah better for residents and visitors alike. We also appreciate Alderman Bill Durrence for prioritizing people over fast moving traffic.

If you think Savannah needs streets designed to improve safety for all users, which will make our neighborhoods better places to live, please contact your elected officials.