Message received: City drops lane-reduction proposal for Avenue

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Message received: City drops lane-reduction proposal for Avenue

Thursday, February 21, 2013

WENATCHEE — The furor over reducing a portion of North Wenatchee Avenue from four traffic lanes to two has ended, with the city agreeing to keep road lanes the way they are.

“Basically, I made the decision based on all the feedback we’ve gotten,” said City Engineer Gary Owen this morning. “About 80 to 85 percent of it was not just in opposition, but in flaming opposition.”

City councilmembers, in their capacity as boardmembers of Wenatchee’s Transportation Benefits District, didn’t contest the Feb. 14 decision, Owen said.

The proposal would have reduced the number of traffic lanes to two — one north and one south — on North Wenatchee Avenue from Fifth Street north to Miller Street to make room for bike lanes and landscaping.

The restriping job is the final touch on a $927,000 overhaul of that roadway that will happen anyway this summer.

Work includes resurfacing, improvements to the stormwater system, curb-access ramps, water mains and signing. State grants will fund most of the cost. The remaining $238,000 will come from matching funds from the city.

City councilmembers in December decided to make the lane-reduction proposal public.

Many members of the bicycling community favored the plan, but most area businesses and those citizens who expressed the opinions did not.

Owen said he received 120 voice and emails containing comments that were overwhelmingly negative — some including select adjectives for the people who devised the proposal in the first place, he said. The city also hosted a workshop that drew about 80 people.

Owen, who specializes in road and traffic engineering, said the public process was a good one and denied that the proposal would have caused excess congestion.

“As much as people think congestion is a problem, it is not a problem, and would not be a problem,” he said this morning.

The city council is keen on redesigning across-town traffic flows to get large trucks off Wenatchee Avenue, the thoroughfare through the city’s historic downtown commercial district.

The Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council has hired a consultant to study current truck routes and propose alternatives, Owen said. They should be finished in about a year.

Christine Pratt: 665-1173

pratt@wenatcheeworld.com

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» 13 comments on this story

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JimboBear 3 months, 3 weeks ago

Amazing! They actually listened? Some of those who gave input must have done so in person and with tar and feathers in hand.

lonedog3 3 months, 3 weeks ago

"The Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council has hired a consultant to study current truck routes and propose alternatives, Owen said. They should be finished in about a year." How much precious tax money will this cost the tax payers??

coolers53 3 months, 3 weeks ago

This is so funny though as somone commented that they will hire somoene for a 100 grand for a feasibility study when all they need to do is put up signs that say no trucks and redirect them.

lonedog3 3 months, 3 weeks ago

they would rather spend money they do not have and then raise taxes to cover the expense. remember Wenatchee's spend then tax mentality??

Magoo 3 months, 3 weeks ago

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

JimboBear 3 months, 3 weeks ago

"......especially during "rush hour"? People crawling along at 26 mph....."

Hahahahaaaaaa! Been a while since you tried to drive I-5 between Tacoma and Everett between 3:00 and 7:00 PM has it? I won't even mention the downtown core of any major city. I find it's more appropriate to count the minutes you are at a stop rather than how many miles per hour you are traveling in such places.

Meowzzz 3 months, 3 weeks ago

I sent them an email telling them what a horrible idea it was. I was forceful about my opinion, but tactful. I'm glad they listened to us!

mrmj 3 months, 3 weeks ago

Now let us get rid of those stupid trees down the middle of 5th street before someone gets hit.

5coogs 3 months, 3 weeks ago

And with the single lanes in each way with the bike lanes and center turn lanes the design has removed any on-street parking for a handful of bicylists! Worse the Link bus stops adjacent the tree lined island and lets students depart (mostly to the rear of the bus where a cross walk is, howevr, some go to the front where no crosswalk is and sneak across) howeever, before any students get off the bus no way around the bus just for the non-existant bikes going up and down fifth street.

Major design change for a very few individuals who at this time do not pay roadway development taxes for the pleasure of riding on the streets.

Dudleydoright 3 months, 3 weeks ago

I tried not to be nasty, honest. Now let's propose going back to four lanes through the downtown core so ALL of us benifit. That stupid streetscape makes driving across town and it will only get worse as the years pass. Put it to a public vote Mr. Mayor and the powers that be, do you really want to do the peoples will, or a select few?

DWALLG9290 3 months, 3 weeks ago

It is past time people realize the kinds of decisions that have been made already. We have become like the West side of the State in our decision making. Build it first then let the Tax payers pay for it. Time to get our heads out of the sand and let our voices be heard. Good job on letting them know,we don't want that bike lane.

LTM 3 months, 3 weeks ago

My understanding was that the proposed changes were more about the landscaping, with extra space directed toward bike lanes as an afterthought. Regardless of whether our big-rig driving residents hate bikes or not, that part of town resembles an anywhere-USA “strip” that continues to be less impressive to out of town tourist money. Some of us are disappointed, but there again our community elders have a poor track record for spending money we do not have. So be it.