06/24/1985 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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-- . M E M 0 RAN DUM e June 18, 1985 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Public Works Department SUBJECT: EAST BROADWAY AND EAST EIGHTH AVENUE TRAFFIC DIRECTION CHANGES In accordance with recommendations made in the recently adopted Downtown Plan, the Public Works Department is proposing to implement street directional changes in two locations: East Broadway -- Pearl to High Street (one-way to two-way) East Eighth Avenue -- High Street east to mid-block alley (two-way to one-way) EAST BROADWAY -- PEARL TO HIGH East Broadway from Pearl to High is currently a two-lane, one-way, eastbound street. It is the only one-way segment located on Broadway between the Downtown Mall and Franklin Boulevard. The conversion of East Broadway in this e location from a one-way to a two-way street will require the reversal of the northernmost travel lane from east to westbound. Analysis of traffic flows 1.n the immediate area indicate that, initially, no parking removal, additional turn-pockets or travel lanes will be necessary as a result of this project. Thes~ measures may need to be taken in the future should traffic volumes increase to levels greater than currently expected. EAST EIGHTH AVENUE -- HIGH STREET EAST TO MID-BLOCK ALLEY East Eighth Avenue is a two-way street from High Street east to the Ferry Street bridge off-ramps. Traffic is carried on one east and two westbound lanes. The east and westbound lanes are separated by a raised median. Conversion of this segment of East Eighth Avenue to a one-way street would involve removal of the raised median and the reversal of the eastbound lane to create three westbound lanes. This proposal would minimize the occasional traffic back-ups that occur on the bridge off-ramp and would be consistent with the lane configuration on the west side of the Eighth/High intersection. It has been determined that each of these projects can be easily implemented at a minimal cost. Staff has received a generally supportive response from the affected property owners, business operators, and tenants. Both the Downtown Commission and the Planning Commission unanimously approved recommendations to the Counc il that the projects be given approval. These projects have been combined to minimize the duplication of public hearings and are not dependent on each other. If approved, the projects will be implemented in mid to late July. e ACTION REQUESTED Staff recommends, following a public hearing, approval and authorization of the projects as designed.