Jamestown  (CSi)  The latest edition of the the Jamestown Downtown Association newsletter answered questions concerning the Jamestown Mainstreet Improvement Project.

At the recent public meeting JDA officials  had the opportunity to learn more about the Jamestown Mainstreet Improvement Project and provide feedback.

JDA encourages individuals  to contact the City of Jamestown with questions and concerns regarding the project.

The newsletter contains a  few common questions the Downtown Association has been hearing and the answers they have received:

 

-Why would the city decide to reduce the number of lanes on one of the busiest streets in town? Jamestown is considering reducing the four lane configuration (two in each direction) to three lanes (one each direction with a center turn lane) on First Avenue. This lane reduction is commonly called a Road Diet. The Federal Highway Administration defines a Road Diet as “removing travel lanes from a roadway and utilizing the space for other uses and travel modes.” A Road Diet is recommended for consideration on roads with less than 25,000 Average Daily Traffic (ADT). First Avenue in Jamestown has significantly less than 25,000 ADT, and it therefore an excel-lent candidate. Road Diets have many advantages: 1. Road Diets reduce vehicle-to-vehicle conflicts that contribute to rear-end, left-turn, and sideswipe crashes. Studies indicate a 19 to 47 percent reduction in overall crashes when a Road Diet is installed. 2. Road Diets reduce speeders and speed differentials. 3. Road Diets improve safety for pedestrian and active transportation by reducing the number of lanes to cross and reducing the time pedestrians are exposed to moving traffic.

 

-Why do this project now when there are other areas of the city that should be a higher priority? The Main Street Improvement project was identified in the Land Use and Transportation Plan as a priority for improving traffic movement in Downtown and improving the business district for economic benefit. In 2018, the ND Department of Transportation in conjunction with the Governor’s office separated some transportation funds into a separate pool of competitive grant funds specifically for Downtown transportation improvements. The opportunity for grant funding and a previously identified priority makes now an excellent time to consider a Main Street Improvement.

 

–Why would the city make such a major snap decision with-out consulting the public or researching the effects? The main street improvements conversation is not new, and the specific conversation about reducing to three lanes began with the Land Use and Transportation Plan (LUTP) over two years ago. The LUTP development process included many public engagement tools. Additionally, the City of Jamestown recently hosted an informational meeting and request for public comments. The grant application is due February 23, 2018. After the City learns the results of the grant, there will be additional opportunities for public input.

 

-Why doesn’t the project include diagonal parking? The total road width for First Avenue is only 60 feet. Even with the reduction of one lane, if we are going to widen the driving and parking lanes, we are still short the width for diagonal parking. Additionally, diagonal parking is considered by the DOT one of the least safe parking options because of the blind entry into traffic. First Avenue is still designated as HWY 281. The current cost participation agreements with DOT prohibit diagonal parking.

 

-How will this affect the economic climate downtown? The improved walk-ability, reduced traffic speeds, wider more convenient parking lanes and aesthetic improvements will be a tremendous benefit to the economic climate of Downtown.

 

JDA pointed out that, quite a few downtown business owners are in support of the project. “As one of the owners of Sabir’s Buffalo Grill, I strongly sup-port the plan to reduce 1st Avenue down to 2 lanes. I believe it will effectively manage our traffic. We want to take back our main street from being a 4-lane highway!” says Jim Boyd.

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