MASON — The road to easing downtown traffic congestion just took a U-turn, as City Council has decided to shelve a controversial plan to improve traffic flow.

        Council members voted unanimously this week not to hire an engineer to design the widening of U.S. 42 between Tylersville Road and Fifth Avenue. Councilman Victor Kidd abstained because he owns a coffee shop on U.S. 42 (Reading Road).

        City leaders were swayed by mounting opposition from a group of downtown business and property owners, who argued that the widening project would lure unwanted traffic and destroy the ambiance of the historic core.

        Foes also believed that the widening project would have been just the beginning in a plan to develop a major artery through downtown.

        Former Mayor Lou Eves spoke out against the widening project, saying he has seen improvements in traffic flow since the completion of recent road improvements, including Tylersville, Mason-Montgomery and Western Row roads.

        Council's decision means it will lose a $380,000 state grant, which must be used on a four-lane project.

        “Before we do discuss any further projects,” Vice Mayor Jim Fox said, “we need to know exactly what that downtown group wants. What was interesting is that we heard a lot of things for the first time that we've never heard from this group before.

        “They raised a lot of questions ... that I think need to be answered. I think council has a lot of questions that they need to ask of the downtown group as well, before we proceed with any plans to add to the existing streets or make any further changes.”

        Council is still considering other options to address downtown traffic congestion, such as adding a third lane on Second Avenue or Third Avenue, and extending one of the streets to Mason-Montgomery Road. The cost ranges between about $75,000 and $2.5 million.

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