I just heard you on Lars' show. Thanks for talking to him and for having this discussion about the Burnside Couplet project.
I agree that safety will be improved with the couplet plan, but am concerned about the potential reduction in vehicle capacity. Burnside actually works fairly well right now. The main problems today are narrow sidewalks and left turn prohibitions.
Is there any way three travel lanes could be provided in each direction. On Burnside, removing a travel lane (11 ft) and adding a bike lane (5 ft) would allow each sidewalk to still be widened 3 ft. If speeds are really going to be close to 12 mph, then bike lanes probably won't be needed, similar to other downtown streets.
Also, is there a way to save the landscaped medians on Burnside in downtown? Perhaps the transition from two way to one way traffic could occur at the north park blocks. Aligning westbound traffic to Couch at this location would avoid 90 degree turns and allow for a smother "S" curve without impacting any existing buildings.
re: BLOG: Smoldering Argument over West Burnside Couplet
Sam,
I just heard you on Lars' show. Thanks for talking to him and for having this discussion about the Burnside Couplet project.
I agree that safety will be improved with the couplet plan, but am concerned about the potential reduction in vehicle capacity. Burnside actually works fairly well right now. The main problems today are narrow sidewalks and left turn prohibitions.
Is there any way three travel lanes could be provided in each direction. On Burnside, removing a travel lane (11 ft) and adding a bike lane (5 ft) would allow each sidewalk to still be widened 3 ft. If speeds are really going to be close to 12 mph, then bike lanes probably won't be needed, similar to other downtown streets.
Also, is there a way to save the landscaped medians on Burnside in downtown? Perhaps the transition from two way to one way traffic could occur at the north park blocks. Aligning westbound traffic to Couch at this location would avoid 90 degree turns and allow for a smother "S" curve without impacting any existing buildings.