The controversial mini-roundabouts on Liggett Avenue returned as a point of conversation in the Crestwood Board of Aldermen chambers on Sept. 9. An open letter by residents on neighboring streets — namely Leawood and Briarton drives — was read during public comment, expressing distaste for the traffic calming measures that were passed by the board on June 24.
A temporary mini-roundabout at the intersection of Leawood and Liggett was erected earlier this year to test these traffic calming measures; it precedes the three permanent, concrete “mini-rounds” that will be installed on Liggett to reduce speeding. For more information on this project, see previous reporting from The Call.
The designs for the mini-rounds have been submitted to the city’s contracted traffic engineer to review and make any necessary recommendations. City Administrator Kris Simpson estimates that this process will take approximately two weeks.
“We’ve provided them with some of the concerns we’ve heard so far and given them the tenor of the feedback we’ve heard from the community as well, so they have that in mind as they try to make the traffic calming measures as safe as possible,” Simpson said.
For now, the temporary mini-roundabout at Leawood and Liggett is coming down until the permanent mini-round is installed in replacement.
“Because we’re missing the proper signage, the crosswalk location and the other features that will be part of the permanent designs, there are probably some negative aspects the residents are seeing,” Ward 3 Alderman Grant Mabie said. “We are well past its intended goal of seeing what a mini-roundabout looks like there. We have part of the puzzle, but not the remaining pieces that make it safe.”
Pedestrian safety was cited as one of the neighbors’ main concerns when it comes to the mini-roundabouts; the open letter referenced children or families that were in near crashes as motorists tried to maneuver around the traffic circle. Simpson affirmed that pedestrian safety was noted to traffic engineers as they review the designs.
From public comment and the board’s discussion, there seems to be a discrepancy in the feelings between those who live on Liggett and those who live on the surrounding streets. Most residents who have voiced complaints against the mini-roundabouts do not live on Liggett, rather on the neighboring streets, though they use Liggett regularly.
Meanwhile, Ward 2 Alderperson Rebecca Now says that she recently walked Liggett to discuss the mini-roundabouts with the residents. She says she connected with nine residents in person and that the feedback she received was “fully enthusiastic about what (the traffic calming measures) have done to date.” At the time of the board meeting, Chief Jonathan Williams estimated that 222,123 vehicles — or more — have driven through the Liggett and Leawood mini-roundabout since its installation on April 3. Among that number, he says there have been zero reported incidents.
“I understand that people say there are near crashes, and I understand that, and I appreciate that,” Williams said. “But the only thing I can go off is facts. What we’ve proven is that the mini-round has slowed traffic.”
Ward 1 Alderman Jesse Morrison hopes to hold a “conversational event” in lieu of emails to connect with the community and receive feedback about the traffic calming measures. He says he is “looking for a consensus” to encourage uniformity within the city.
Even though discussions about the mini-roundabout have continued from both the public and board members, some — like Simpson and Now — reiterated at the Sept. 9 meeting that the traffic calming measure was already passed in June. Now says she does not want a delay, and Simpson says staff will “move” as soon as they receive the OK from traffic engineers.
“If the engineer comes back and says, ‘What you’ve got is great, no changes,’ then we’re going to proceed. The board approved this,” Simpson said. “If there are recommendations that we feel are outside the scope of what the board approved, then I’d propose we come back to the Board of Aldermen.”