Consultant's plan calls for slower, narrower Lane
Proposal pleases Upper Arlington officials, residents
The commercial stretch of Lane Avenue in Upper Arlington would become slower and narrower for motorists and safer for residents if a consultant's plan is put in place.
Florida-based AECOM submitted its recommendations to city officials this month, including the creation of parallel parking in what is currently the north lane of a four-lane road and adding a center turn lane.
The changes would effectively reduce the commercial roadway from two lanes in each direction to one and reduce the current speed limit from 35 mph to 25mph.
"It's going to slow traffic down and make people more comfortable walking the streets," Upper Arlington spokeswoman Emma Speight said.
City officials and residents support the changes and praised the consultant for ending a stalemate between the city and residents who had been angry about excessive parking along their residential streets.
The neighborhood ire reached its peak in May with a yard-sign campaign and announcement that the corridor could become an Entertainment District, creating new liquor licenses, more development and more parking issues.
The city then hired AECOM for about $60,000 to find a remedy.
"They didn't put out solutions that we couldn't implement," Speight said.
"It's huge for us," said Tricia Kershner, a mother of two who has supported responsible city development that doesn't encroach on quiet, safe residential streets.
"It's going to take maybe 10 cars off our streets," Kershner said of Lane Avenue parking that could accommodate about 60 vehicles. "It's wonderful. But it's the effective implementation that I'm looking for."
A request for proposals will be presented to the City Council by mid-August, Speight said.
Traffic calming along Brandon and Chester roads will cost about $70,000. Costs for reconfiguring Lane Avenue will be minimal; the changes have been described as "just paint."
Speight said there will be adequate capacity for traffic after the changes are made.
Florida-based AECOM submitted its recommendations to city officials this month, including the creation of parallel parking in what is currently the north lane of a four-lane road and adding a center turn lane.
The changes would effectively reduce the commercial roadway from two lanes in each direction to one and reduce the current speed limit from 35 mph to 25mph.
"It's going to slow traffic down and make people more comfortable walking the streets," Upper Arlington spokeswoman Emma Speight said.
City officials and residents support the changes and praised the consultant for ending a stalemate between the city and residents who had been angry about excessive parking along their residential streets.
The neighborhood ire reached its peak in May with a yard-sign campaign and announcement that the corridor could become an Entertainment District, creating new liquor licenses, more development and more parking issues.
The city then hired AECOM for about $60,000 to find a remedy.
"They didn't put out solutions that we couldn't implement," Speight said.
"It's huge for us," said Tricia Kershner, a mother of two who has supported responsible city development that doesn't encroach on quiet, safe residential streets.
"It's going to take maybe 10 cars off our streets," Kershner said of Lane Avenue parking that could accommodate about 60 vehicles. "It's wonderful. But it's the effective implementation that I'm looking for."
A request for proposals will be presented to the City Council by mid-August, Speight said.
Traffic calming along Brandon and Chester roads will cost about $70,000. Costs for reconfiguring Lane Avenue will be minimal; the changes have been described as "just paint."
Speight said there will be adequate capacity for traffic after the changes are made.
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