There is always a solution–just add creativity
As detailed on the Plan for TC Web site, TART trails, with help by Mayor Chris Bzdok, hired a consulting engineering firm for a conceptual “Second Opinion” for the 2010 Eighth Street project. TART’s goal was to offer a positive way forward with a possible concept for the city staff and commission to consider.
Bob Otwell, the Executive Director of TART, said it was a new approach for the trail and advocacy organization, but that he wanted to offer a solution. “It’s nice to say we can do it differently, but it’s more powerful to show another option, and say ‘consider this’,” said Otwell.
“We wanted to not just say no, but to say here is something better.”
In describing TART’s letter to the commission, Otwell said the main goal was to help the city design Eighth St. “to ensure that all users, including pedestrians and bicyclists, can travel safely and conveniently on and across this street.” Seems sensible.
There is a more elaborate conceptual plan shared with the city, but this basic cross-section shows that a significant improvement of the current design of Eighth St. is possible if the city pushes for a more creativity and a shift of priorities from city staff. It shouldn’t take too much time or money. Just a little creativity.
After becoming aware of the Eighth St. project, TART hired Gosling Czubak Engineering Sciences to develop a conceptual second opinion. The result isn't a finished product, but offers a working concept that shows that an engineering solution is possible. For the most part, with a change of priorities (parking, wider lanes, turning lanes) this concept remains withing the current width of the two block section of Eighth St. while providing up to code bike lanes and improved pedestrian crossings. (Cross-sections courtesy of TART Trails).
TART’s letter to the city commission explaining the details of the conceptual design was sent out last night. You can read it here.
Please Contact the city manager & city commissioners. And then come voice your opinion or give support Monday night February 8th at 7PM.
All we really need to be asking for is:
- Bike lanes along Eighth St.
- Improved pedestrian crossings at each intersection
- A solution based approach, not limitations
- For them to Complete the Street
_
Gary, thanks for posting the two design illustrations for 8th Street. With my deep respect to TART, offering up an option for a wider street surface with more impervious surface is, in my opinion, the wrong way to go. I believe we need to propose a narrower street, from curb-to-curb, with flairs for left turn lanes at cross-street intersections. Shift the center line of the road OFF from dead center of the right-of way, eliminate on-street parking and add a proper “bike path” (or extra wide super-sidewalk) on the south side of the street, up and off from the pavement, “behind the lamp posts and tree lawn”. Control traffic speeds by building a narrower curb-to-curb street width. (It’s only a two lane street with flairs). Skip striping bike lanes, which become useless in the winter. (Would you put an 8 year old on a bike in 8th Street traffic?) Wide streets and lanes encourage higher motor vehicle speeds, use more asphalt, create more storm run-off and are counter-productive to safety. 8th Street should display a new trend in street design for our region. That’s my opinion.
Thanks JRW…I think the intent was to offer a compromise due to the last minute nature of this project. And, there was great pains to fit the conceptual into the existing footprint. There is no widening in the TART plan except for at the Rose St. intersection to allow for a turning lane and a bike lane. Typical, TC likes to loose the bike lanes at the lights which causes confusion.
And, I’m not sure what or bike lanes would look like in the winter if 1) they were 5′ wide (don’t think we have any) 2) it was a made a priority to treat them better or equal to the road regarding snow removal.
Good design is out there, we just need a good designer.
As always, love your comments. All for it–anything creative.
Gary,
Thanks for Sharing TART’s sketch of 8th st. It’s cool to see! I also support JRW’s opinion for narrow streets and a super sidewalk set back from the street. That’d be nice to have!
Will the City Engineer be at Monday’s study session? Has there been any comment from his office since the Mayor’s communication?
“Super-sidewalk” …word of the year:)