Public Works Department Staff started an assessment of the Corridor including review of existing traffic counts, sidewalk infrastructure, bicycle network opportunities, speed limits, school zones, intersection traffic control, lighting, and adjacent land uses. To assist in this process a request was made to the Transportation Commission to review potential traffic calming measures to identify which could be applied within the Corridor. Due to the short time frame between the adoption of the budget and the City Council’s intention to have the bridge construction in FY2018, a Subcommittee of the Transportation Commission was formed for an intense in-depth review of traffic calming measures. The Subcommittee was comprised of three Transportation Commission members, four members of the public, the City Council liaison to the Commission, an outside technical advisor, and the Public Works Director. The Subcommittee met eight times over a four week period between the Transportation Commission meetings of November 9th and December 14th.
One of the first tasks of the Subcommittee was the identification of major issues of interest within the Corridor. Based on the issues identified, the Subcommittee expanded the scope of their work to include many facets of the Corridor beyond simple traffic calming measures. These included the following:
- Speed Limits
- Traffic Volumes
- Sidewalk system completeness
- Bicycle network opportunities
- Street lighting
- Adjacent land use activities such as the High School, 1912 Center, East City Park, Lena Whitmore Elementary School, multifamily housing, etc.
- Traffic Calming measures
- Truck Routes
- Traffic Speed Data
- Accident History
- Noise
- Street Trees
Three plans were created through the work of the Subcommittee and City Staff. While each plan uses different approaches to modifying the Corridor to address identified issues, there are some proposed traffic management features that are consistent among all of the plans. A summary of those features and descriptions of their attributes is attached. A summary of the three plans, which outlines their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages, is provided below along with estimated construction costs. At the conclusion of the Subcommittee’s meetings a report of activities and findings was presented to the Transportation Commission at the December 14th meeting. This report included information on the topics discussed, information gathered, and plans developed. The Subcommittee also conveyed a preference for Plan C to the Commission. Plan C proposes the use of Two Way Separated Bike Lanes on the north side of Third Street.