When Eugene officials proposed putting the busy commercial section of South Willamette Street between 24th and 30th avenues on a road diet, many in the area particularly business owners were dubious.
The citys plan to reduce travel lanes for cars from four to two one in each direction meant that bike lanes could be added on both sides of the street, along with a center turn lane, without having to widen much of the street.
While some residents thought it was a good idea one that would make South Willamette safer, more conducive to cycling and walking, and more attractive to shoppers others strongly disagreed. They said that eliminating a lane in each direction would cause congestion and lead to motorists avoiding the area, hurting businesses. They said the proposal was inherently dangerous because bikes and motor vehicles dont belong together in tight spaces.
The city offered a sensible compromise to these warring points of view: Conduct a one-year pilot project along this stretch of South Willamette, which is due to be repaved in 2018, and see how it works.
The early results of the test, which began last June, are encouraging. Feedback received by the city and The Register-Guard from residents and business owners along that section of South Willamette generally has been positive. The neighborhood association said it has received no complaints.
The unending traffic jams and frequent vehicle/bicycle altercations that some feared would materialize havent. This doesnt mean the experiment has been totally problem-free city employees have received some reports of backups in northbound traffic in the mornings, sometimes going back to 32nd Avenue. Some street users have suggested relocating a bus stop, and some cyclists would like improvements in the bike lanes. But overall, the city staff hasnt identified any major problems or deal-breakers so far.
Assuming these results hold up when the final report on the pilot project is done and that the city has facts and figures to back them up, there are several take-aways from this project.
First, the pilot project began after public hearings and outreach that allowed people affected by the proposed changes to be heard.
Second, there are a number of other streets in the same situation as South Willamette, dealing with development and growth that far surpass what they originally were built to handle. While the road diet on South Willamette might not be applicable to all of these, its worth considering whether it, or something similar, might be.
Finally, rather than leaping headlong into long-lasting and initially controversial changes, the city chose to do a pilot project, at much lower cost, helped in part by securing federal grant money.
City officials should consider when and how this approach might be adapted to other situations and challenges facing the city, particularly those dealing with controversial issues or proposals.
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Read more from the original source:
A diet that works - The Register-Guard
