Public shows little interest in stop sign plan

Citizens of Columbia Falls seem to show little interest in the matter of installing a stop sign on Nucleus Avenue.

The Columbia Falls City Council decided in November to ask the state for a four-way stop on the main street.

The intent is to give pedestrians a safe place to cross. Later the council decided to hold off on a decision until getting public input.

On Monday that hearing was held without much input from the public.

Council member Mike Shepard said he continues to hear negative comments on the idea.

He said he spent a Saturday volunteering with the Salvation Army outside Smith’s and took the opportunity to get people’s comments.

“They don’t want a stop sign on Nucleus,” Shepard said. “In my mind it becomes a dead issue.”

The city is considering stop signs at Sixth Street West and Fifth Street West, where the majority of walking traffic occurs. To get stop signs, the city must ask the Montana Department of Transportation for approval because Nucleus Avenue is a state highway.

Council member Dave Petersen disagreed with Shepard’s view.

“I think the safety issue should be clear,” he said. “There are going to be people who don’t like change.”

Petersen admitted he’s not a fan of stop signs or traffic lights.

“I’ll drive a fourth of a mile out of my way to avoid a stop sign,” he said. “I can’t stand the things. A number of people tell me it’s hard to cross the street. There might be some inconvenience, but it should be there.”

City Manager Bill Shaw suggested a trial period for the stop signs. He said he’s seen that done in other cities.

“Once (the signs) were there and people saw how it made traffic move they like it,” he said.

The council decided to extend the public hearing on the stop signs to its next meeting on Jan. 18.