The Crestwood Board of Aldermen continues to evaluate ways to reduce speeding on Liggett Avenue. The city has previously erected temporary mini-round-abouts on the street — a decision that received some backlash from the community — but a recent report by traffic engineers at Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT) has new suggestions. 

CMT project manager John Keeven appeared at Crestwood’s April 14 Board of Aldermen meeting to give a presentation on recommended traffic calming measures for consideration.

The CMT report suggested raised bumpouts (otherwise known as curb extensions) at Liggett’s intersections with Briarton, Grovena and Coffey drives. These bumpouts narrow the roadway width at intersections, “which helps reduce turning speeds, shorten pedestrian crossing distances, and visually reinforce a lower-speed residential environment,” according to CMT’s report. It also aims to reduce high-speed cornering and cut-through traffic.

CMT suggested painted bumpouts at Liggett’s intersections with Ferndale, Leawood, Woodbine and Volz drives. Painted bumpouts act similarly to the raised bumpouts, narrowing the roadway visually instead of physically.

The report also recommended a speed feedback sign on the downhill approach to Liggett’s intersection with Grovena Drive. The radar-based sign would display a driver’s real-time speed. 

Mini-roundabouts were not recommended in CMT’s report because “they did not receive sufficient community support to advance as a viable treatment.”

“(Mini-rounds) would probably reduce speed the most at intersections,” Keeven said. He confirmed with Ward 3 Alderman Grant Mabie that he does not professionally object to mini-rounds, but it was not included in recommendations solely due to poor community feedback.

Jean Melson from Woodbine Drive rose during public comment to express concerns about the installation of bumpouts after seeing their effects in the city of St. Louis.

“I’d rather go over a speed bump down Liggett than those curbed things,” Melson said. “Liggett is already narrow enough as it is … They have put those (bumpouts) all around (Busch) Stadium, and now the pedestrians are actually walking onto the bumpouts and standing closer to the traffic than before.”

Amanda Bjornson of Ferndale Drive also spoke during public comment and asked the board to consider mini-rounds in their final decision.  

“The representative tonight did state that it seemed like mini-rounds are probably the most effective way of traffic calming, so I would like you to take that into consideration when you are discussing,” Bjornson said. 

At the Board of Aldermen’s next meeting, which is scheduled to take place on April 28, aldermen will consider the recommendations from CMT’s report as well as the board’s previous plan, which included the “mini-rounds” and other signage. The board hopes to look at these plans side-by-side and pass through one of them at that time. After that, the city expects a phased implementation of the approved plan. 

“I think it’s time to get more calming measures installed. We hired a professional traffic firm, and I respect what they came back with, and I think we should go forward with it,” Ward 2 Alderperson Rebecca Now said. “After over a year, I think it’s time to get this fully implemented and on that street.

Ward 1 Alderman Jesse Morrison added, “I do believe keeping a sense of urgency on this is extremely important.”

Mayor Scott Shipley wrapped up the conversation by saying, “I would caution this board to not try to pick and choose and create a hybrid, or make up our own. I think what is presented is what we need to choose from.”