Sylvania Township: Oak may lose barrier

3/24/2005

The westbound traffic barrier on Whispering Oak Drive at King Road should come down, but one should be built slightly east of it at Spring Creek Lane, according to a recommendation by the Lucas County Engineer's Office.

The westbound barricade in place has accomplished what it was meant to - decreasing the traffic on Whispering Oak. But some of those vehicles are now taking Silica and San Luis Rey Adrives south to Brint Road, and residents of those streets are not happy about it.

They have complained of safety issues among other things.

The barricade creates its own safety issue because when drivers try to bypass it, they are immediately head-on with northbound traffic on King Road at the "L'' intersection.

Sylvania Township administrator Brad Peebles said he has contacted Toledo Edison Co. and asked that a street light be installed at the Whispering Oak-Spring Creek intersection.

Lucas County engineer's office staff recommended that the new traffic diverter be well lit, he said.

The new traffic scheme will be in place on a trial basis, said Ron Myers, of the engineer's office, and traffic patterns will be studied before it is determined whether it should become permanent.

Planning decisions years ago - including extending Convent Boulevard at Whispering Oak, has led to the problem, Mr. Myers said. A lack of other connecting streets, particularly between The Meadows and Woodstream Farm subdivisions, has added to the problem of too many vehicles on too few streets connecting with major roadways.

The proposed barricade will force vehicles on Whispering Oak into the northern portion of The Meadows, but opening the westbound end of the street to King should ease the strain on San Luis Rey and Silica.

Mr. Myers said there are about 1,400 vehicle trips generated by The Meadows, and many use Silica and San Luis Rey to get to Brint Road and then head east. The change will allow them to reach King and continue south or get on Brint.

Sylvania Township trustees intend to discuss the county recommendation at a meeting 7 p.m. April 5.

The controversial traffic pattern has drawn crowds to earlier hearings, so trustees chairman Dennis Boyle suggested the issue be scheduled at a convenient time for most homeowners. Trustees normally meet at 4 p.m.