News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Supervisors ask Caltrans to Open Dialogue on Traffic Signal

Supervisors ask Caltrans to Open Dialogue on Traffic Signal

Biane and Derry Urge Public Input into Highway 18 Light

By Michael P. Neufeld
Thursday, November 5, 2009

San Bernardino, CA - Two San Bernardino County supervisors are urging Caltrans to seek public input before starting construction of a traffic signal on Highway 18 at Lake Gregory Drive.

Second District Supervisor Paul Biane (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Second District Supervisor Paul Biane and Third District Supervisor Neil Derry wrote a letter to Caltrans District 8 Director Dr. Raymond Wolfe urging the transportation agency to articulate their concerns about the signal.

Third District Supervisor Neil Derry (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

"Caltrans' plans to install a traffic signal at the junction of Lake Gregory Drive and Highway 18 produced considerable unrest in the mountain communities," the two supervisors wrote.

Biane and Derry explained, "Caltrans' failure to include the community in the discussion about this intersection denied your agency the opportunity to communicate the reasoning and rationale behind this recommendation to install the signal. The public may or may not have been swayed by the analysis presented. However, the integrity of the process and a feeling that the public was given a 'fair-shake' would have been protected."

The two supervisors who represent the mountain communities added, "We urge you to engage the public and take the opportunity to make the case for a signal and allow them to articulate their concerns and opposition to this signal.

"Although such a decision on your part would delay the installation of the signal," the letter continued, "the public is entitled to have a participatory role in their government and it would go a long way towards rehabilitating the image your agency currently suffers from within the community."

The letter, sent on county letterhead, concluded, "Please reconsider implementation of the contract and provide an avenue of dialogue for the people you serve."

Caltrans has advanced plans to install the signal utilizing just under $500,0000 in State Highway Operations Protection Program (SHOPP) funding.

The agency also has presented statics about accidents at that intersection showing there were at least five accidents per year in five of the six years between 2003 and 2008.

This article was first published on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 10:32 pm. This article has been viewed 561 times.

Michael P. Neufeld, Senior News Editor, is a graduate of the Dwight Bentel School of Journalism at San Jose State University. His first job out of San Jose State was with the Associated Press in Los Angeles as overnight Radio Editor. Prior to joining RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, Neufeld was editor of two weekly newspapers—THE MOUNTAIN NEWS and CRESTLINE COURIER-NEWS. He also has experience as editor of an employee newspaper for a major utility company and during his tenure as executive director of the San Jose State University Alumni Association served as faculty advisor to the association's monthly newsletter. He also spent eight years in commercial radio doing everything from news to advertising sales and writing commercials to being an announcer and on-air personality. Neufeld is actively involved the mountain communities including serving as master of ceremonies for the Arrowhead Arts Music Festival held each summer.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. This column is copyrighted by Michael P. Neufeld.