[AmazonSteeringCte] Fw: [Neighbors] WEDS March 13 - Alder Street Greenway: Proposed Changes for Bicyclists/Pedestrians/Motorists - Comments?

Wed Mar 13 20:27:45 CDT 2019

________________________________
From: libby <lbottero at comcast.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2019 2:44 PM
To: Randy Prince; RDunbar at eugene-or.gov
Subject: Re: [Neighbors] WEDS March 13 - Alder Street Greenway: Proposed Changes for Bicyclists/Pedestrians/Motorists - Comments?

Hi Randy, and Reed Dunbar,

I just read through the message below including the greenway ideas for Alder street.  I lived at 2811 Alder for many years, and now live at 28th & University streets kitty corner from South Hills nursing home, so I'm very familiar with these streets. Unfortunately, I already have a prior commitment for tonight so cannot attend tonight's meeting. However, I do have a few comments after reading about proposed changes for Alder street, especially #4.

1. I love it that Alder has been a bike and pedestrian friendly street for many years and want to see it continue. It's safer for everyone and avoids bikes/pedestrians on a busy traffic street like Hilyard.

2. I love the pedestrian activated flashing signal at 28th and Hilyard. It is so much safer for everyone trying to cross Hilyard to get to Amazon Park and Community Center; it is especially safer for families with children at Camas Ridge Elementary School who have to cross that intersection to get to school.  It should've been done years ago and I'm thankful for this safety feature.

3. I'm fine with most of the proposals below for a) traffic calming speed bumps on Alder, b) stop lines, and c) shaded lane markings.

4. I DO have a safety question/concern about the proposal for a planted traffic circle on Alder & 28th. Normally, I don't have a problem with roundabouts for ease of traffic flow.  However, I would like to see the City's written input from the Emergency Services department, assuming they have been a part of the study for this plan.  As those of us who live in this part of the neighborhood know very well, several times a week, and sometimes several times a day or night, large fire trucks and ambulances drive from Hilyard east up 28th. Usually, they are going to South Hills nursing home on 28th & University which requires frequent emergency medical services. Occasionally, police vehicles are also there in conjunction with emergencies. Sometimes they are going to residences up the hill. It's much easier for these emergency vehicles to reach South Hills nursing home by going up 28th rather than up 30th to University, and it's much easier for them to park on 28th rather than University. Therefore, I hope you will seriously reassess this particular option. I realize it may seem nice to save a few seconds on a bicycle trip if the bicyclist doesn't have to slow down or stop on Alder at 28th, but is this convenience really more important than the safety concern of keeping this intersection open for frequent emergency vehicles? I don't think there is enough room for the large emergency vehicles at this intersection if there is a roundabout there. Please reconsider this part of the proposed changes and review the plan with those emergency services who use this route on a regular basis, and get back to us about it, before adopting this part of the proposals.

Thanks very much,

Libby Bottero

2797 University st

Eugene OR 97403

541.686.4345

On 3/13/19 6:58 AM, Randy Prince via Neighbors wrote:
The Amazon Neighborhood Association has been considering changes proposed by the City to the Alder Street Greenway in our neighborhood between 24th and 30th.  The "Greenway", once known as a "bike boulevard", is the principal north-south route for bicyclists in east Eugene, particularly those traveling to the University of Oregon.   The impetus for the changes is a budget allocation to resurface the street during 2019.

The Steering Committee discussed the matter in the summer and fall of 2018 and provided city staffer Reed Dunbar with input. At our regular General Meeting in October 2018, Reed made a presentation to a larger group of  neighbors and took comments.  Below is the description of the planned changes that he recommends.

During the discussions, a number of people inquired about traffic diversion such as used on the greenway just north of our neighborhood (19th to 24th).  These are not part of the recommendations--Department policy does not favor use of the diverters when the street in question has a low level of automobile traffic.  Instead the recommendations include the measures listed below.  Notably, it includes the installation of speed bumps ("humps") to slow traffic and discourage any increase in the amount of automobile usage.  This may be the first time speed humps have been installed on a high-traffic bikeway in Eugene.

A traffic circle is proposed for the intersection of 28th and Alder, which would allow for the removal of stop signs there for those traveling north-south on the Greenway.

The Steering Committee will discuss the proposal at its March meeting, although there are several other matters on the agenda.  The allocated time is rather short.

---If you are an Amazon neighbor or use the Greenway, and would like to comment on the proposed changes, please send your thoughts--soon--to RDunbar at eugene-or.gov<mailto:RDunbar at eugene-or.gov>   with a copy to me or    steering.cte at lists.amazonneighbors.org<mailto:steering.cte at lists.amazonneighbors.org>.  Comments made today will be seen by the Steering Committee at its meeting tonight.  There is no fixed deadline at this point, but the Department will be making its decision soon, perhaps before the end of the month.

Randy Prince
Amazon Neighborhood Association Email Communications
541-345-3306

On Feb 14, 2019, at 11:13 AM, DUNBAR Reed C <RDunbar at eugene-or.gov<mailto:RDunbar at eugene-or.gov>> wrote:
Hey Folks,

Following our meeting in September, I said I would follow up when we had a draft design.  Please find attached a DRAFT layout of the proposed changes to Alder Street from 24th Avenue to 30th Avenue.  Proposed changes include:

1.      Traffic Calming: speed humps will be added to each block (generally 2 per block)

2.      Stop lines: stop lines will be installed on the cross streets

3.      Shared Lane Markings

4.      A planted traffic circle on Alder at 28th Avenue.  Our contract includes 3 years of plant establishment to ensure growth.  Existing stop signs will be removed on Alder Street at 28th Avenue.
I included a PDF and 5 JPG files.  Hopefully, you can open either the PDF or the jpegs for review.

Notes

a.       The centerlines and parking lanes are shown with painted stripes.  These will not be included in the final design.  These stripes are a function of the software I’m using and cannot be removed.

b.      I am still working on a “Neighborhood Greenway” sign design with our graphic designer.

c.       We will post speed limit signs on Alder Street to reflect the reduced speed (20mph)

d.      New pavement and curb ramps will be added from 24th Avenue to 27th Avenue.  South of 27th Avenue there will not be any new pavement or ramps added (with the exception of the NE/NW corners of Alder at 30th).

Amazon Neighborhood Board – please let me know if you would like me to attend a meeting to discuss.  I can also collect comments via email.  Currently, we are at 60% design.  The next round of drawings will be 90%, so there is time to make changes.

Thanks for your interest,
Reed

Reed Dunbar, AICP | Transportation Planner

City of Eugene | Public Works Engineering
99 E Broadway, 4th Floor | Eugene, OR 97401
Phone: 541.682.5727 | Fax: 541.682.5032

<Draft Alder Greenway Concept_Feb '19.pdf>
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