We hope state Transportation Department officials have listened carefully to Lakewood residents’ concerns over a sidewalk extension project for Route 394 that is now being opposed by members of the Lakewood Village Board.

The state Transportation Department has said improvements could include asphalt pavement throughout the project from the bridge west of Ashville Road to McDaniel Avenue; reconfigure road striping within the current curb to curb width; minor traffic signal improvements; replacing non-compliant curb ramps; and upgrade traffic signs. Of course, the centerpiece is the extension of sidewalks.

It’s the second time in the past two years that a DOT project has faced local opposition after the DOT’s project to remove street parking on East Second Street in Jamestown was opposed by city residents and members of the City Council. Jamestown’s East Second Street project is moving forward without the bike lanes. We hope a similar resolution is reached when it comes to the Route 394 project.

DOT officials would be wise to pay particular attention to the work of Ellen Barnes and Nancy Jones, Lakewood Village Board members who have done exactly what voters would expect of two local officials. They have made a point to talk to as many property owners as possible on Fairmount Avenue – both those who oppose the sidewalk project and those who have no problem with the DOT project – to get a true sense of what the community wants. Barnes and Jones have based their public stance on the sidewalk project on what their constituents have said.

It would have been easy to simply base decisions on what those who have spoken at public meetings have said. Barnes and Jones have gone above and beyond on the Route 394 sidewalk project. Not only have they gotten a feel for what constituents want, they have made sure to keep those who would be affected apprised of public hearings and meetings.

That’s one reason why, in our opinion, DOT decision makers should pay particular attention to what Barnes and Jones are saying about new sidewalks on Fairmount Avenue. This isn’t opposition for opposition’s sake. It’s a reflection of the desires of those affected by the project, articulated well by the people’s elected representatives.

It’s time to go back to the drawing board.