Traffic Issues Identified A Traffic Committee was formed in November 2003 to deal with two problems identified in a pre-grant survey mailed out by Neighborhood Services Department: speeding (#1 issue) and cut-through traffic (#8). The committee has met regularly since then, spending the first four months identifying traffic problems and discussing an overall approach to solutions in the square-mile area. City traffic engineers used these identified problems to design a comprehensive traffic study that will be conducted during the second or third week of the fall semester. The committee, which recognizes that traffic issues will only get worse as the downtown area continues to grow, came up with a general approach to solving traffic issues for the Fight Back area: ü To approach solutions area-wide, not on a street-by-street basis ü To introduce the minimum number of solutions to have the maximum effect on traffic issues (both cut-through and speeding) ü To preserve the historic quality of the neighborhood, ü To "add to" the neighborhood with creative traffic solutions, and ü To avoid speed humps (a "quick fix" for one block that moves the problem to the neighboring street) except where determined to be the best solution. In general, issues seem to be greater on the western side of the Fight Back area, generated by high traffic volumes on 7th Street, freeway off ramps, reverse lanes on 7th during peak hours, North High School traffic, traffic from medical facilities along McDowell, and high pedestrian traffic at the 7th/McDowell intersection. The identified issues which follow are addressed by quarter-mile quadrants to allow for manageable studies and solutions. Wayne Murray, Traffic Committee Chair gcnafightbacktraffic@cox.net 602-258-2605 northwest quarter section 7th Street & Thomas area Problems: ü Traffic generated by North High morning and afternoon ü Congestion at 7th St/Thomas traffic light in afternoons, when northbound traffic backs up at light, encourages cut-through on 8th Street via Windsor, and on 10th and 12th Streets via Virginia, for traffic traveling east on Thomas. ü Reverse lane restrictions on 7th Street force drivers to make left turns on residential streets since they can't do it at traffic lights. ü Northbound and southbound through traffic on 10th, from Thomas to McDowell. ü Speeders (from North High?) on Windsor around keyhole park. ü High traffic volume on Virginia 7th to 12th. ü Speeding on Dayton from Thomas to Virginia, already addressed with two speed humps. ü Speeding on Sheridan, 7th Street to 10th, already addressed (but not successfully) with two speed humps. southwest quarter section 7th Street & McDowell area Problems: ü Congestion at the 7thStreet/McDowell intersection encourages a drain from all of the medical facilities through this area (up to Palm and then to 12th or 7th, or out on Coronado or Granada.) The reverse is true in the morning when making a right hand turn through this area to the light or to the medical center parking on 10th east and west. ü Reverse lane restrictions on 7th Street force drivers to make left turns on residential streets since they can't do it at traffic lights. ü Speed is a problem on Palm between Dayton and 12th, as is cut-through traffic from 7th to 12th Street. Two existing speed humps have not solved the problem. southeast quarter section 16th Street & McDowell area Problems: ü Through traffic on 14th Street, McDowell to Thomas. ü Some morning cut-through traffic as southbound drivers on 16th Street use Almeria to avoid the traffic light at McDowell before resuming westbound travel on McDowell. northeast quarter section 16th Street & Thomas area Problems: ü Streets west of North High are "race courses" ü 14th Street allows unimpeded through-traffic from Thomas to McDowell Right down the middle/the collector streets: 12th Street from Mc Dowell to Thomas The problems on 12th Street: ü High traffic volume ü Through traffic ü Speeding ü Accidents ü Reckless passing by speeding cars Note: Oak does not appear to be a problem as it is not perceived as a collector street due to dips, occasional narrowings, no traffic light at 7th Street, cars parked on street near Ashram, etc.

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