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Will the remaining segment of 166 Avenue NE (south
of NE 100 Street to NE 85 Street) be reconfigured from 4 lanes to 3?
City staff plans to hold a public meeting in early 2009 to discuss a proposal
that would complete the 4 to 3 lane reconfiguration on the 166 Avenue NE
corridor.
The public meeting held on February 7 focused only on plans for the new traffic
signal on 166 Avenue NE at NE 104 Street, and on getting feedback on a proposed
reconfiguration on 166 Avenue NE along the front of the school property that
would be done with the traffic signal construction. As a result of the
public meeting, Education Hill residents favored a 4 to 3 lane reconfiguration
on 166 Avenue NE along the school frontage, but were doubtful about the need for
bike lanes on the steeper grade of 166 Avenue NE. Residents also expressed
concern about getting stuck behind buses and other slower-moving vehicles if the
remaining segment of 166 Avenue NE were to be reconfigured from 4 lanes to 3.
When the results of this public meeting were brought before Council,
Transportation Services staff was directed to move forward with the traffic
signal and with the conversion in front of Redmond Junior High, and prepare for
a public meeting to discuss the remaining conversion once the traffic signal was
in operation. That meeting will likely be held sometime in January.
Why is the City installing a traffic signal at this
intersection?
Pedestrian safety is a concern at 166 Avenue NE and NE 104 Street.
Many young pedestrians navigate this intersection on their way to and from
Redmond Junior High, Norman Rockwell, Horace Mann, and Redmond High School.
Changing the existing 4-way stop to a fully-signalized intersection will
eliminate confusion for drivers and pedestrians as to who has the right-of-way.
Why is this project happening just as the new school
year is starting? Wouldn't it have been better to construct the signal
over the summer?
Yes, it would have been better to construct the signal when school was
not in session. However, there are a couple of reasons for this schedule:
- A 4 to 3 lane conversion on 166 Avenue NE along the front of Redmond
Junior High was recommended during the design phase of this traffic signal
project. Four to 3 lane conversions can be controversial. While
a few downtown streets already have been successfully reduced from 4 to 3
lanes, the City wanted to hear from Education Hill residents about
reconfiguring this central collector arterial. It was important to
conduct an extensive public process, which delayed the start of the project.
- The traffic signal is funded by a Federal Safe Routes to School grant.
Completing the project by the end of this calendar year was a requirement
when the City was awarded the funds.
What is the schedule for the construction and other
activities related to the 166 Avenue NE Corridor Improvements?
| Timeframe |
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Milestone |
 |
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February 2005 |
|
166 Avenue NE
Corridor Study completed |
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November 2005 |
|
City Council adopts the
Transportation Master Plan |
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October 2006 |
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Transportation
Services applies for Safe Routes to School grant in the amount
of $350,000 to fund construction of a traffic signal at the
intersection of 166 Avenue NE and NE 104 Street |
|
December 2006 |
|
Safe Routes to School grant
request for traffic signal construction is listed seventh on a
prioritized list of 101 project requests from around the State
to make improvements around schools |
|
April to June 2007 |
|
1) City Council
reviews and is asked to approve the Education Hill Neighborhood
Plan
2) Safe Routes to School grant is approved by the State
legislature |
| July
2007 |
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Safe Routes to School grant funds
are formally accepted by the City Council |
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December 2007 |
|
Traffic signal
and corridor preliminary design |
|
February 7, 2008 |
|
Public meeting at Redmond Junior
High |
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February 14, 2008 |
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Community
comments on proposals to reconfigure 166 Avenue NE in front of
Redmond Junior High, and to continue conversion south to NE 85
Street, are due in Transportation Services at City Hall by 5 PM |
| Summer
2008 |
|
Construction |
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November 2008 |
|
Traffic signal
in operation |
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January 2009 |
|
Tentative month for public meeting
#2 |
How is it possible that reducing 166 Avenue NE
from 4 lanes to 3 will improve how that road functions?
Four lane roads frequently generate excessive speeds, are difficult to
cross and to merge onto, and are not pedestrian or bicycle supportive.
Last minute lane changes to get around vehicles waiting to turn left often
result in collisions and failure to see pedestrians. Inside lanes are
frequently occupied by drivers wanting to turn left. This causes delay to
those who must wait for those left-turning vehicles to make their turns before
they can proceed through. A 3-lane street with a left-turn lane that
removes left-turning vehicles from the flow of through traffic accommodates
about the same number of vehicles as a 4-lane street. Travel times on
converted roadways do not change significantly and sometimes improve when there
is a center lane dedicated exclusively for left turns.
A full explanation of how the 4 to 3 lane conversion can improve operations
on 166 Avenue NE can be found by reading
Road Diet for 166 Avenue NE.
For general information about 4 to 3 lane conversions, see
www.walkablestreets.com/diet.htm. You can also download
a comprehensive report on
roadway diets co-written by Dan Burden and Peter Lagerwey.
Previous to the 4 to 3 lane conversion on 166
Avenue NE between Redmond Way and NE 85 Street in 2004, some residents were
adamant that eliminating a lane would result in severe traffic congestion.
How have things worked out?
Very well. Shortly after the conversion, many residents commented
that despite their initial skepticism, they found things to be working quite
well. An August
2004 report to the City Council included a safety and performance review of
166 Avenue NE between NE 85 Street and Redmond Way.
Are there examples of successful 4 to 3 lane
conversions in other locations?
Yes. Four other downtown Redmond streets have successfully been
converted:
- NE 87 Street between 161 and 164 Avenue NE (from 4 lanes to 2 with
on-street parking)
- 161 Avenue NE between Redmond Way and NE 85 Street
- 166 Avenue NE between Redmond Way and NE 85 Street
- NE 85 Street between 154 and 166 Avenue NE
Check the list of roadways in Seattle for
examples of successful conversions.
This page was last updated on September 9, 2008.
This page was last updated on September 9, 2008.
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