Residents living along NE A Street near Grants Pass High School will be receiving a letter from the City of Grants Pass regarding an upcoming construction project.
During its Monday workshop session, the City Council considered options for the reconstruction and overlay of NE A between 8th Street and Beacon Drive.
Assistant Public Works Director Wade Elliott told the Council that this section of the arterial street is experiencing rapid pavement deterioration. He said the project will be done in two phases -- from 8th Street to Baker Street and then from Baker to Beacon Drive. Work will be done during the summer months to avoid conflicts with GPHS and other nearby schools. A sewer line replacement is included.
Based on a recommendation from the Bikeways & Walkways Committee, Elliott provided three options for the Council to consider. The first option would include five-foot bicycle paths on both sides of A Street, the second would include an elevated nine-foot two-way bike path on the north side of the street, and the third would not include any bike facilities.
According to Elliott, the first option would eliminate a total of 210 parking spaces along A Street while the second option would eliminate 105 parking spaces along the north side of the street. He said the Grants Pass School District is okay with the bike lane options as long as a bus loading zone is in place near the football field.
Following questions and discussion, a majority of the Council preferred the second option that would add bike lanes and retain 50% of existing parking spaces. City staff was directed to send out a letter to residents on both sides of the street in order to gauge public preferences. The City hopes to solicit project bids by late April.
