City proposes reducing traffic lanes on busy North Wenatchee Ave

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City proposes reducing traffic lanes on busy North Wenatchee Ave

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

WENATCHEE — The city is seeking public feedback on a plan to reduce a busy part of North Wenatchee Avenue from four traffic lanes to two, to make room for bike lanes and landscaping.

The change is proposed from Fifth Street north to Miller Street. That nearly one-mile stretch of the avenue currently has two traffic lanes in either direction, plus a center turn lane.

Document

20130129-154724-ass-973447.pdf

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The proposed configuration would preserve the center turn lane, but reduce traffic lanes to one in either direction and add bike lanes along both sides.

City staffers will host an open house Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Chelan County PUD Auditorium at Fifth Street and North Wenatchee Avenue to give people a look at the plan and gather public opinion.

According to a presentation at a December meeting of the Wenatchee Transportation Benefit District Board, that part of the roadway is “one of the city’s most important commercial corridors.” It carries more than 11,000 vehicles daily and is heavily used by trucks, the presentation says.

The proposed changes would improve safety, slow traffic and make the road more walker-friendly, officials say, but could also cause more traffic congestion.

The road currently has no bike-specific lanes, but the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail is nearby and roughly parallel.

The proposed reconfiguration would be part of a larger project to resurface the road, add access ramps over curbs, repair water main and storm drain, improve signing and redo pavement markings. The road was last resurfaced in 1998.

Construction is planned for this summer. Grants will fund most of the $927,000 project. The remaining $238,000 will come from matching funds from the city, the presentation says.

Diagrams of the proposal will be on display for public viewing at Wednesday’s open house.

The public may also comment directly to City Engineer Gary Owen, 888-3204, gowen@wenatcheewa.gov or on the city website, wenatcheewa.gov.

Christine Pratt: 665-1173

pratt@wenatcheeworld.com

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wonderstar 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Why begin at 5th? The Avenue is one lane each way through downtown then widens to two lanes each by the Coast Hotel. It sounds confusing to make it go back to one lane at 5th. Make it one lane all the way or leave it alone.

wonderstar 3 months, 2 weeks ago

OK I just looked at the City's pdf document and it does show changing 2nd to 5th to one lane each. I missed that in the story.

GarySchoessler 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Just what we need. Fix the bottle neck at the bridge then make one farther up the road. Why not just make all the roads one lane to make room for all the hordes of bikes.

lonedog3 3 months, 2 weeks ago

why would anyone in their right mind want to further restrict the flow of vehicles on a major thoroughfare through the city for, of all things, plants and bicycles? Has the city really gone off the deep end? sorry but this is just another waste of tax money by what is starting to look like another inept city council. Where do they get these insane ideas anyway? This move would cripple the flow of already heavily congested traffic through there.

dougmorgan 3 months, 2 weeks ago

who in their right mind would think to make it even harder to travel on Wenatchee Avenue? Slow the traffic and increase the air pollution. How do they come up with these crazy ideas? It is getting slower all the time to travel through our city. If you want to spend money on roads, find a way to have a by-pass so traffic in town can flow.

loves2travel 3 months, 2 weeks ago

No, not one lane at all. In the afternoon traffic is backed up way past the Red Lion waiting for the light heading north. Just think what it would be like with one lane. It would be a nightmare for people trying to get out of the businesses on the Ave.

coolers53 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Lonedog, I agree with you, that is the most insane proposal ever, the ave is jammmed up now, who in the world comes up with this stuff. I ride a bike but not in the winter when it is freezing out. Usually citys are trying to add lanes to inprove traffic flow, not take them out.

JimboBear 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Why not just create a huge parking lot just South of the Wenatchee River bridge and another just North of the George Sellar bridge and eliminate all vehicle traffic in and through Wenatchee and limit street use within City limits to pedestrians and bicycles. It seems that the city council is Hell bent on isolating the city from it's neighbors anyway, so that should do it quite nicely. Thank God there is still a modicum of common sense on the East side of the river.

The more I think about this ridiculous idea, the more it seems the only intent is to collect half a million in state and or federal funding and create work for the City of Wenatchee employees.

karilg 3 months, 2 weeks ago

And who came up with that stupid idea?????????????? And why do they think it would be a good idea????? Some people!

Slammer 3 months, 2 weeks ago

"The proposed changes would improve safety, SLOW TRAFFIC and make the road more walker-friendly," And why, exactly would you want to do that??!! This route already parallels the Apple Capitol Loop Trail and the walkers (like there are any) and the cyclists only have to drop down one block and they can go clear from the pedestrian bridge to Confluence. To be clear, I ride my bike in town a lot, but there isn't any need for us riders to be on the Ave from 5th to Miller.

Dudleydoright 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Thought up no doubt by the kind of Einsteins that reduced traffic to two lanes through down town back in the early ninties and pushed everyone up to Mission and Chelan making them a nightmare too. This kills business, when they did it downtown it reduced traffic on Wenatchee ave by about a third, my business, along with all the others that derive business by being convient to passersby down about the same, 30%. Another factor is the nightmare you face with trees in the middle of the lane like up on fifth by the college. So here is one business owner that says He11 no!

Brundage 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Bad plan! Goes counter to the real need. When "Valley North" mall went in in the 1960's, downtown business people knew that drawing traffic OFF of the Avenue would change the nature of the city. That trend,,, OUT of the city continues "in order to improve city conditions...

NO. Heck NO! Get the ability to drive on the AVENUE IMPROVED. NOT this further restriction of flow. NO.

unkin 3 months, 2 weeks ago

I really can't believe that there is even a single thought to reduce the number of lanes on North Wenatchee Avenue. That is a heavily traveled highway. At Miller Street it becomes 4 lanes and should remain that way south to the coast Hotel. If given an opportunity I would vote "no".

lonedog3 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Here is a perfect poll question for the world. Should the city of Wenatchee cut north Wenatchee Ave down to two lanes so the bicyclists and butterfly's have a place to play and frolic? Again the city of Wenatchee is doing something asinine that will affect the entire region that may come here for shopping or medical reasons.

Rebelrouser 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Like I mentioned in another post. I think the City Council members are on the bong. 5th street renovation was a stupid idea and serves no purpose. Now these idiots want to destroy the traffic flow on north wenatchee ave. I am so glad to be moving out of the city limits.

Meowzzz 3 months, 2 weeks ago

You have GOT TO BE FLIPPEN KIDDING ME! This is the stupidest idea I have heard. The traffic in this town moves at a snails pace as it is, and now you want to remove lanes! Is there going to be a meeting to vote this in, or is this a done deal?

kyook 3 months, 2 weeks ago

This is just crazy talk! We already have a bike lane in that area, it's called the Loop Trail.

maxpress 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Hey, lets choke out all the buisness on the north end just like we choked out downtown. They keep trying to bring back downtown after they made it so hard to travel down there. Now they want to do the same to the north end?

maxpress 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Since everything is set so far back from the street and they want a bike lane, why dont they put a 2ft bike lane on the other side of the sidewalk away from the traffic. Oh wait. That would make sence.

davebugg 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Just when ya think Wenatchee bureaucrats couldn't screw things up more than they already have... (shaking head) "Stupid is as stupid does."

mibac 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Kudos to the City—that’s the way to go: fewer lanes means slower and less traffic, cleaner air to breathe (how would this contribute to pollution like someone was commenting before? –it beats me!! Fewer cars= less pollution just basic math!) It’s been proven that adding lanes or widening roads like they do with highways sometimes (many times!) just contribute to the problem and it does never solve traffic congestion –and instead encourage more people to use it etc. This would be a dream come true—calmer downtown Wenatchee, walkers- friendly area with more bikes than noisy 12 miles/gallon polluting tracks.Wonderful!

imoagn 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Are you kidding? There won't be fewer cars in Wenatchee because people will just use alternate routes to get from one point to another. What, do you think people are just going to stop driving? This stretch of proposed bottle neck will create a worse jam all throughout downtown.....and that creates more pollution: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2012/01/05/how-traffic-jams-affect-air-quality/

Dudleydoright 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Less traffic? are you that nieve? they will just further clog up Mission and Chelan.

lonedog3 3 months, 2 weeks ago

ummmmmm the longer the cars sit in a bottleneck the more pollution that will be created by said cars. Cars run cleaner when moving not when they are sitting idling. Also there will be no fewer cars as the traffic will just jam up somewhere else in the city. This is just about as ignorant of a move as spending a couple of million on paintings to make the sewer tanks smell better.

imoagn 3 months, 2 weeks ago

"The proposed changes would improve safety, slow traffic and make the road more walker-friendly"......Yeah, and all those happy walkers will be passing up a bunch of motorists with road rage who are stalled in bottle neck agony. How is that safe?

rwcooper1954 3 months, 2 weeks ago

This cannot happen. Besides, the City of Wenatchee has a law against "cruising". The traffic problems this would cause would amount to "cruising".

FootballNut 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Unbelievable! What moron thought up this waste of taxpayer dollars? I drive on Wenatchee Ave quite often, except for which stretch of the road? ...you guessed it! From Kittitas to 2nd. and why? ...because that's where the bottleneck begins by turning 4 lanes into two. Now you want to create another bottleneck? Idiots!

mibac 3 months, 2 weeks ago

It's less than a mile, people! Take another road, take the bus if you can, write your legislators for better and more efficient common transportation, walk it, get on the bike--change those old ways where getting a coffee or dropping an envelope in the mailbox require driving a 2 tons vehicle.I am not saying this applies for everyone but I KNOW it does for many!

Meowzzz 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Oh, people will be taking other roads, and congesting traffic even more on THOSE streets. Obviously, you haven't thought that through. Your whole statement isn't a solution.

Dudleydoright 3 months, 2 weeks ago

If you had a business in that area as I do you wouldn't be so flip about your income taking another hit because some dunce thought we need more bike lanes or parking. There is no reason to do this other than it's the hip thing to do, they screwed up downtown and now this.

rwcooper1954 3 months, 2 weeks ago

The remaining $238,000 will come from matching funds from the city, the presentation says. Mibac, apparently you are having trouble understanding how this part of it relates to our city's financial situation. How about you and your fellow bikers take another road or walk?

davebugg 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Brought to you by the Wenatchee Valley Traffic Circle Coalition.

ericwest 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Ridiculous is an understatement. Traffic is already bad enough and they want to make it worse? How about taking the cities share of this projects expense and repair the sidewalks that are falling apart, which was the subject of an article in the World a few days ago?

dkdeuce 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Today's Headline! How a group of idiots can spend our tax dollars. 1) How much money will be spent just to have an "open house"? 2) How much money has been spent so far on the development of this fabulous idea? 3) This is so stupid, it has to be a distraction.

WHAT COULD THEY BE HIDING NOW!?!

NLC 3 months, 2 weeks ago

This proposal is proof that the city departments that come up with and generate these type proposals have way too many employees, with way too much time on their hands to waste! What a waste of valuable city resources on a ridiclous idea. Perhaps staff cut backs in these areas would leave more city money for underfunded Public Safety needs.

trebor462 3 months, 2 weeks ago

"But could also cause more traffic congestion" That's and understatement if I every saw one.

BryanRCampbell 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Reducing the number of lanes of traffic in that area doesn't make sense to me and would create an even greater problem on N. Miller. I don't see this proposal getting any traction as I believe it would create many more problems than it solves.

bellcjy 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Oh pleeeze!! This is the worst idea.. I agree with many of you in the fact that it is ridiculous to take what is already a problem & make it worse. Yes, the bikers really have no reason to be on the main roads where there are semi trucks trying to get the food we eat to the stores & not to mention the emergency vehicles to their destination without worrying about the bikers & walkers! And, what taxes do the bikers pay? That is the comment I have heard for years.. They do not pay but want all the special privileges...

kyook 3 months, 2 weeks ago

"And, what taxes do the bikers pay?"

I am a "biker" (bicyclist) and I pay all the same taxes that you do and for that I do not expect any "special privileges". I just want to have the same rights to use the roads as you.

Is that a problem?

FootballNut 3 months, 2 weeks ago

I can't put words in Carol's mouth, but I believe she was probably referring to the gas tax.

kyook 3 months, 2 weeks ago

I pay that too. You see, I also have a couple of cars and a couple of motorcycles.

Come on, you can do better than that.

FootballNut 3 months, 2 weeks ago

I was just explaining what I presumed she meant. I wasn't defending the statement.

kyook 3 months, 2 weeks ago

I knew that. Mea culpa if I was a little gruff but I have heard every argument there is as to why some people think bikes have no right to be on their roads and they're all nonsense.

lonedog3 3 months, 2 weeks ago

agreed kyook! we all pay the same amount of taxes. this proposal by the city, reducing lanes creating such a huge bottleneck will only frustrate drivers and in turn make it much more dangerous to the smaller less protected bicyclist.

kyook 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Be that as it may, Joe, it irritates me that people say things like, "Yes, the bikers really have no reason to be on the main roads where there are semi trucks trying to get the food we eat to the stores & not to mention the emergency vehicles to their destination without worrying about the bikers & walkers!"

Who ever said that the roads are for the exclusive use of cars and trucks? I pay a plethora of taxes, some of which go to roads, so therefore I have a right to use them on my bicycle.

bellcjy 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Kyook I believe it was one of your biker buddies "Slammer" that actually made the comment about not being on the busy streets. You clearly have no concept of how difficult it is to navigate around bikers. Have you been on the South end at all during rush hour? I have seen crosswalkers almost taken out by motorists not seeing them crossing with their little orange flags.. & that is on 4 lanes. So you think its ok to narrow that by 2 & throw in some fluff landscaping so everyone can be happy? No one is saying you don't have a right to ride your bike, but like you said earlier, you have a place like that its called The Loop Trail.

kyook 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Clearly, you have no concept of what I do or don't have concepts about.

Yes, I have been in the south end during rush hours, pretty much every day. I personallly have witnessed a couple of pedestrians come within inches of being creamed by a car and you know what...it wasn't their fault. It was due to inattention on the part of the motorist.

You seem to have misinterpretted my position on this issue. I think it is an incredibly stupid idea with absolutely no merit whatsoever, not to mention a total waste of taxpayer dollars.

My comment about the Loop Trail was intended to point out the shortsightedness of the city in regard to a bike option that already exists.

Slammer 3 months, 2 weeks ago

'Zactly. The Ave sucks for bikes and the Loop rocks. Much better for all concerned.

ciberdork 3 months, 2 weeks ago

They did the same thing in Boise several years ago. They closed down a half mile section of a 4 lane road to make it into a beautiful 2 lane. People were so outraged at how bad traffic got that they had to shut it down again and turn it back into 4 lanes.

kyook 3 months, 2 weeks ago

I put a pencil to this and at my average speed on my bike, I could ride the .81 of a mile in a little under three minutes (not counting having to stop for red lights). And then what? I would run out of bike lane and have to ride in traffic again or I guess I could turn around and ride back in the other direction for another 3 minutes. Big Whoop!

This seems like an awful big boondoggle, to spend a gazillion dollars of taxpayer dollars for a very small benefit for bike riders when there is already a good alternative in place in the Loop Trail. Maybe what we need is a few more access points to the trail instead.

kittyandme 3 months, 2 weeks ago

I think the city of Wenatchee's Grant writer needs to see if there isn't a Grant for Repairing the streets we already have instead of making more "Beautifications". I know, if we don't take that Federal Grant money someone else will....but we would still have 4 lanes of traffic, and that's a good thing.

Don 3 months, 2 weeks ago

I attended the meeting at the PUD this evening, and a lot of the things being touted as fact here are simply not true.

They are proposing taking four lanes down to two, and that is about where the truth ends.

This section of road is in need of repair, and most of the money being spent on that repair is going to get spent no matter what for the resurfacing as well as the utility repairs beneath the street. After that is all done it is a matter of how they are going to paint the lines, which is a trivial component of the project's cost.

They can choose to paint the lines back the way they are, or they may choose to add some road-side parking and bike lanes. I made a point to drive that section of road, just after 5:00, during 'rush' hour, to see just how busy it is, and that section of road is not congested or busy in any way, shape, or form. Comparing it to congested intersections in S Wenatchee is a complete red herring. Whether it was two lanes in each direction, or just one, it wouldn't make any difference to the traffic flow in that area.

Dudleydoright 3 months, 2 weeks ago

You are right Don, when they choked traffic downtown, north of there thaffic went to nothing. I own a business there and believe me if I could sue for lost business I would. The jack ass that thought of the street scape downtown was an idiot imho.

lonedog3 3 months, 2 weeks ago

I wonder how much those "grant writers" are costing the taxpayers in wages and benefits every year?

lonedog3 3 months, 2 weeks ago

If this is the case then when the city tells a homeowner to repair a side walk at the homeowners expense we can just tear it out and install a "green walkway" with flowers and birds??

Dudleydoright 3 months, 2 weeks ago

No but you will note that downtown business owners have the city pay for thier parking (making the rest of us deal with a traffic mess) whereas the business owners on north Wenatchee ave have to pay for their own.

lonedog3 3 months, 2 weeks ago

A historical fact we all have to keep in mind is the fact (and you can look this up) that anytime the city of Wenatchee "proposes" anything, it will cost someone a lot of money (see regional Taxpayers). From catering to a private business (pybus) to rework the city streets and walkway when there is a perfect bridge over the tracks not far away. Forcing property owners to pay to rebuild city sidewalks then heavily fine someone that removes trees that are destroying the sidewalk. The creation of a "regional fire department" rather than fix their own. Painting pretty pictures at the sewer plant to make it smell better. Of course we cannot forget the Town Toyota Center along with the rest of the perks for special interest groups and private parties down there. Sadly this list goes on and on. This "proposal" of destroying the flow of traffic (11,000 + vehicles a day) is just another boondoggle to add to the list of idiotic "proposals to be spewed forth out of the Wenatchee mayors office. Apparently though, the people that live within the city limits don't mind paying higher taxes than any community around or higher license fees since they refuse to stand up to the city council and say WHOA! The city is in debt! The city has destroyed their credit rating! And yet the mayors office keeps spending our tax money on some of the most insane projects that have no merit. Sort of boggles the mind it does!

Dudleydoright 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Time to petition the city to undo the bottleneck which is downtown. Take it back to four lanes Mr. Mayor! Make the cheap downtown association pay for their own parking, give us back our easy commute through the core of Wenatchee.