TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Eric J. Gallt, City Traffic Engineer
DATE: September 3, 2014
SUBJECT:title
New York Street from Broadway to Smith Street and Galena Boulevard from Broadway to Ohio Street Two Way Conversion
body
PURPOSE:
To seek approval to convert New York Street from Broadway to Smith Street and Galena Boulevard from Broadway from one way operation to two way operation.
BACKGROUND:
The conversion of various roadways to two way operations has been a discussion within the City for many years. The current project is phase 2 of a multi-phase conversion project. The first phase included converting Benton and Downer Place to two operations from Lake Street to Broadway.
DISCUSSION:
The current two way conversion project was initiated in Winter of 2013. Initial plans were presented to the public for the conversion of New York Street in July of 2013. While generally the project was well received, many comments alluded constructing both Galena Boulevard and New York Street concurrently to avoid short term increased traffic congestion on New York Street. Staff developed plans for Galena Boulevard over the winter of 2014 and conducted a second public open house in May of 2014.
The plans include a new traffic signal at the intersection of Smith Street and New York York Street. Parking will be eliminated on New York Street due to volumes and the need for a continuous left turn lane. Parking will be maintained on Galena Boulevard with a few exceptions. All major intersections on both corridors will have dedicated left turn lanes.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The traveling public should expect a transition period on both New York Street and Galena Boulevard. After the transition period, average speeds on both corridors are expected to decrease as a common effect of two way traffic. Two intersections may see a slight increase in delay. These include New York Street at Broadway and New York Street at Union Street.
REC...
Click here for full text