What is an Existing Core Neighborhood Street

[Jan Sorby]

Just to get us started here is the description of what category our neighborhood streets are and where they fit into the Mater Thoroughfare Pan.

 

We should not panic thinking our neighborhood streets are going to be blown-out and replaced by acres of concrete where our front yards used to be. I don’t  believe we have to choose between having a safe storm water system and blown-out streets..

 

Jackson street near 5^th is the example given in the master thoroughfare plan for what a Core Neighborhood Street is. BTW, Jackson does have storm water sewers, curbs and sidewalks.

 

 

PART 5: Master Thoroughfare Plan

 

Existing Core Neighborhood Streets

 

The core neighborhood streets in Bloomington represent a high percentage of the total road mileage in the area surrounding the downtown. Many of these streets are quite narrow in width in comparison to the neighborhood streets that were constructed in the past

few decades. The cross-sections of the existing core neighborhood streets are considered an important element of the residents’ living environment and often serve as a meeting place for residents. It should be noted that many of these streets feature cross-sections different from what is outlined in the following pages.

 

In order to preserve neighborhood fabric, existing core neighborhood streets shall not be required to conform to the cross section standards that are being proposed for more suburban environments.

 

Typical Characteristics of a Existing Core Neighborhood Street:

• Total right-of-way – varies

• Travel lane widths – typically 8 to 10 feet

• On-Street parking included

• Bike lanes – no lanes are included because of lower traffic

volumes and speed

• Sidewalks and street trees vary; often there is not enough room

for both elements

 

Priority For the Right-of-Way:

• Primary Priority Elements

- On-Street parking

- Residential access

- Neighborhood preservation

• Secondary Priority Elements

- Width of travel lanes

- Sidewalks

• Examples of Traffic Management Features

- On-street parking

- Street trees

- Narrower travel lanes

- Reduced pedestrian crossing distances at intersections

(using curb extensions and other measures if necessary)

- Traffic circles