COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Some people who live in Columbus are questioning the decision of city leaders change a road project to increase safety.
They're also questioning the cost to widen and then narrow Rocky Ford Road from four to two lanes with bike lanes on both sides.
"It's a pain. Reporter: How big a pain? It slows traffic down. But it is a bad thing when you only had one or two people doing the speed limit and you can't pass them now," said Randy Thomas, Columbus resident.
Slowing down traffic was a goal. In recent years there have been two pedestrian fatalities on along the stretch of road and bicyclists have been struck and injured.
"We do get up there and monitor the speeds of vehicles but with them going back to one lane in each direction, it has caused vehicles to slow down a little," said Sgt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department.
Bicyclists appreciate that and praise the narrowing of the road.
"In my opinion, Rocky Ford Road is never that busy to require four lanes of traffic. Bike lanes make it safer for everybody who is riding their bile. There is nothing wrong with it in my opinion. I think it's great," said James Waltz, Columbus resident.
7,500 vehicles a day currently travel the 1.5 mile stretch in question.
It was widened at a cost of $1.7 million to the city in anticipation of traffic growth that didn't come.
"Yes, it's good use of taxpayer dollars because if future growth in the area does happen and we do have higher traffic counts we can quickly change it back to a four lane road," said Jamie Brinegar, Columbus Director of Finance.
That said, serious cyclist Nathan Kahlenbeck says he's going to enjoy the lane and its security.
"I definitely would ride on this road now. I avoided it before. I've ridden on highway across the U.S. I wouldn't ride on this before the bike lanes. I'll ride on it now," said Kahlenbeck.
At some point, if the traffic count rises and there is a need to revert back to four lanes on Rocky Ford Road, it would cost about $69,000 to restripe the lanes and adjust the signage.
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