Priorities?
Stephan Koledin
to settle on will be priorities for Phase 1 construction. With only $5M
to work with, that doesn't allow much to happen at all, especially over
a 2 mile length of urban thoroughfare in a generally bad state of disrepair.
It seems to me we have two serious base problems: dealing with all the
problems that Children's Hospital is bringing (traffic, etc.), and doing
something to improve the chances of getting funding for Phase 2 of the
project, which is the only way we'll see real permanent improvement for
the whole length of the Avenue.
Personally, if it was up to me, I'd probably split the Phase 1 funds
into something like:
1. Relieve traffic issues caused by Children's Hospital and other large
development. These basic improvements would be made to the entire 2 mile
project area.
a. synchronized traffic lights to keep traffic flowing steadily and
safely
b. crosswalks with crossing lights at major intersections
c. basic street signage so that people can find their way
d. left turn lanes where possible to avoid holding up all traffic
e. focus on solving immediate traffic problems as cheaply but
effectively as possible
2. Develop a sample 1-2 block prototype as proof of concept and example
of what can be done if Phase 2 funds are obtained.
a. from subsurface utils to lights and signage, full bottom to top
renovation
b. provide a model of positive improvement and growth with visible
and useable improvements like sidewalks, bus stop benches, green space, etc.
c. show what can be done if proper funding is actually provided,
since $5M is just ridiculously small for an urban project of this size
and scope
I can't believe I'm actually suggesting spending money on improvements
for automobile traffic, especially for problems caused by large
commercial development(Children's). However, if the traffic on Penn Ave
continues to be unmanaged, it will make life miserable for all of us who
live and work on Penn: bikers, walkers, bus riders, and of course car
drivers too.
What do you all think? $5M is an awfully small set of funds to work
with. How can we make a solid impact on the community, while still
"thinking big" for Phase 2?
-Stephan
Louis Fineberg
Use some of the money to do a comprehensive study to find a workable solution . . . its out there somewhere. The Penn Avenue district can either be a through way or a destination, but it can't be both. Most people I heard last night would love to see a destination. Let's be bold and take a firm stance against single user automobiles, which sometimes includes me, but as far as I'm concerned, feel free to make it a pain.
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Stephan Koledin
> I'd be very reluctant to make it as easy as possible for cars to
> navigate through Penn Avenue. Timing lights will create speed concerns,
> and potentially make it more hazardous for pedestrians and other users.
> The Avenue will never become a destination if we make it convenient for
> through traffic. Carson, Walnut Street, Forbes and Murray the most
> successful business districts in the city are a traffic nightmare. Is
> there a creative way to make it more convenient for buses, emergency
> vehicles, and other users and make it a pain for single user automobiles.
I was certainly very reluctant to suggest anything "pro-car" (because
I'm certainly not), but I think we're facing a much different situation
than the other neighborhoods. Like it or not, Penn Ave is a major
traffic route and the current projection (that I heard) is an almost
instant increase from 10,000 vehicles/day to 40,000 when the hospital
opens. Since the hospital sits right in the middle of our stretch of
Penn, I think it'll be hard (but not impossible) to re-route the
majority of the traffic.
I agree that these things definitely need to be studied further. I
promise to be the first to admit I was wrong if we can find a better way.
In general, though, my suggestions for sync'd (to 25mph) lights,
crosswalks, etc., were intended to improve safety, since most of the
issues I've seen have been from folks trying to "beat" erratic lights
rather than just going with the pre-timed speed on the street (currently
none). I think it's pretty hard to speed on a properly timed section of
street... I usually think of it as part of an overall traffic calming
strategy. I know I certainly feel safer biking in traffic that is
<=25mph and steady rather than the frustrating speed up and stop that is
so typical here in Pittsburgh.
> Use some of the money to do a comprehensive study to find a workable
> solution . . . its out there somewhere. The Penn Avenue district can
> either be a through way or a destination, but it can't be both. Most
> people I heard last night would love to see a destination. Let's be bold
> and take a firm stance against single user automobiles, which sometimes
> includes me, but as far as I'm concerned, feel free to make it a pain.
I've actually been a little unclear on all of the funding numbers.
Previously, I've heard crazy numbers like $11M for *planning*, now I'm
hearing $5M for engineering/construction. The March newsletter from the
meeting says:
The overall project funding is at a level of
$4,265,000 to cover engineering and construction
costs. These funds are programmed for 2008 with
additional funding requiring authorization and subject
to federal funding restrictions.
Can someone closer to the project or from one of the involved
development organizations(BGC, FDA?) give us a better idea of what's
ear-marked for planning, and what's available for actual construction?
Even if there aren't specific numbers set, what's the general breakout
of funds?
The slides from the other night show the following schedule:
Corridor Phasing Plan: Q2_2008-Q1_2009
Project 1 Design: Q1_2009-Q2_2010
Project 1 Construction: Q3_2010-Q4_2011
Does this imply that the $4.2M is all available for planning activities
in 2008, but that enough will be reserved for actual design and
construction in 2009-2011?
I would love to see Penn Ave be both the transportation route it
historically is *and* a vibrant business and residential district. It's
been that way in the (admittedly distant) past, and I don't want to call
it impossible to achieve both goals just yet. I would agree that single
use auto is the biggest problem, I'm just not sure exactly what to do
about it.
No doubt there are some tough choices to make, let's hope we can have
some positive and informed impact on those decisions when they're made.
-Stephan
Louis Fineberg
" . . . but I think we're facing a much different situation
than the other neighborhoods. Like it or not, Penn Ave is a major
traffic route and the current projection (that I heard) is an almost
instant increase from 10,000 vehicles/day to 40,000 when the hospital
opens."
I agree that its very different from Sq. Hill and Shadyside, and though
some parallels can be drawn with Carson, it is admittedly distinct.
"I would love to see Penn Ave be both the transportation route it
historically is *and* a vibrant business and residential district. It's
been that way in the (admittedly distant) past, and I don't want to
call it impossible to achieve both goals just yet."
You're right its important to keep an open mind, and maybe a cohesive
balance for all Penn Avenue users can be created. It seems to me at the
heart of the solution really is our transportation habits, and it has
much less to do with what improvements do or do not take place. A
partnership with Port Authority, Childrens, local residents, and others
could be proactive in alleviating traffic by creating convenient,
reliable, safe alternatives to driving through Penn Avenue. If that
were to happen then we'll have really accomplished something. The Port
Authority is beginning a comprehensive planning session soon. At the urging
of the community Penn Avenue has an opportunity to be a centerpiece in that
plan.
Thanks for getting the conversation going!
Lou
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Hassettpgh
Pre Engineering/Planning - $443K (In place)
Engineering: $550K (Programmed)
Construction: $4-5m (To be programmed)
My appologies for the brevity in my responses. I'm limited in the
amount of quality time I have to read/ponder and respond. I'll do my
best. Also forgive any spelling laspes.
Hassettpgh
future consideration.
Steve/Lou - To me auto improvements are most warranted when dealing
with safety issues. Along these lines, congestion is a safety concern
if it leads to aggressive driving. My ideal would be to have traffic
move continuously but at a moderate to slow speed similar to Murray
Avenue in Squirrel Hill. I would be fine with focusing auto
investments on traffic flow if it meant a more controlled flow.
christine brill
"congestion" as the singular traffic issue on Penn Avenue. In the
Arsenal District, speeding traffic is a serious traffic and public
safety issue. I am highlighting the need for a traffic light somewhere
along the 40th to 34th Street stretch of Penn Avenue. The volume of
speeding traffic will only increase after Children's Hospital opens.
I have lived, worked and owned property in the 3600 block of Penn
Avenue for nine years and have watched the neighborhood around me
become increasingly residential. More people are also investing in the
district, improving their homes and streetscape. One aspect of Penn
Avenue life has not changed over the years – the constant flow of
high-speed traffic, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
As one neighbor articulated during the March 11th meeting, the City
may as well remove the 25-MPH sign postings between 40th Street and
34th Street along Penn Avenue. No one pays them any attention. As soon
as cars, trucks and busses emerge from the congestion at Main Street,
40th Street and Doughboy Square, they don't see or encounter another
traffic signal for more than half a mile.
During morning and evening rush hours, drivers emerge from 34th and
40th Streets and aggressively speed up and down the hill, knowing that
there are no traffic lights for several long blocks. The sparse
on-street parking along that stretch also contributes to the problem:
the road width is effectively widened where no one parks, and people
just drive faster. Cars routinely reach 50-60 MPH just outside of my
doorstep as they cruise downhill towards the Strip District and
Downtown.
Several public safety issues have resulted from high-speed traffic on
Penn Avenue:
1. The crosswalk at 36th and Penn has almost faded away, and is fully
ignored by drivers. It is difficult for people to cross Penn Avenue
after getting off the bus. Elderly residents of the St. Augustine
residential tower, on 36th Street, have difficulty crossing Penn
Avenue to access public transportation.
2. Blind corners at every side-street intersection between 40th Street
and 34th Street are made even more dangerous by speeding Avenue
traffic. I have witnessed (or heard) at least 4 separate accidents at
the corner of 36th and Penn as drivers try to enter Avenue traffic.
3. Several accidents have also occurred at the 35th Street bend. An
electrical pole was recently taken out by a vehicle, and one car
actually ran into and damaged a town house. Drivers unfamiliar with
that stretch of Penn Avenue are taken by surprise, not anticipating
the curve in the road. The 20-MPH sign is never heeded.
4. Speeding buses and trucks, especially during evening hours, shake
buildings down to their foundations when they hit pot holes and/or
failing asphalt patches. Over time, this accumulatively damages older
architecture/property along the Avenue. The Arsenal District portion
of Penn Avenue should be fully repaved – as part of Penn Avenue
improvements or as part of Pittsburgh Public Works' maintenance
program – as major, emergency water main repairs over recent years
have left much of the roadway bumpy and irregular.
It would be a tragedy if millions of dollars are spent to completely
redo the 5100 block of Penn Avenue, and to address localized traffic
congestion, if nothing is done to mitigate speeding along the
34th-40th Street stretch of Penn Avenue. Superficial gestures, such as
curb bump-outs, pedestrian crossings and speed-limit signage will do
little to remedy this public-safety and quality-of-life concern. If we
could have just one of Friendship/Garfield's traffic lights, we'd be
in so much better shape!
Thank you for setting up this forum for public discourse, and thank
you for listening!
Christine Brill
3609 Penn Avenue
LeeFa...@aol.com
I am writing because I am concerned that there is an over-focus on
"congestion" as the singular traffic issue on Penn Avenue. In the
Arsenal District, speeding traffic is a serious traffic and public
safety issue. I am highlighting the need for a traffic light somewhere
along the 40th to 34th Street stretch of Penn Avenue. The volume of
speeding traffic will only increase after Children's Hospital opens.
I have lived, worked and owned property in the 3600 block of Penn
Avenue for nine years and have watched the neighborhood around me
become increasingly residential. More people are also investing in the
district, improving their homes and streetscape. One aspect of Penn
Avenue life has not changed over the years - the constant flow of
of Penn Avenue should be fully repaved - as part of Penn Avenue
improvements or as part of Pittsburgh Public Works' maintenance
program - as major, emergency water main repairs over recent years
have left much of the roadway bumpy and irregular.
It would be a tragedy if millions of dollars are spent to completely
redo the 5100 block of Penn Avenue, and to address localized traffic
congestion, if nothing is done to mitigate speeding along the
34th-40th Street stretch of Penn Avenue. Superficial gestures, such as
curb bump-outs, pedestrian crossings and speed-limit signage will do
little to remedy this public-safety and quality-of-life concern. If we
could have just one of Friendship/Garfield's traffic lights, we'd be
in so much better shape!
Thank you for setting up this forum for public discourse, and thank
you for listening!
Christine Brill
3609 Penn Avenue
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Hassettpgh
On Mar 23, 8:51 am, LeeFabi...@aol.com wrote:
> Excellent idea.
>
> In fact, can some one tell me why the stop light isn't on the Southwest side
> of Penn Avenue at 34th St.? With the cars speeding out from 34th St. to
> Butler, dodging traffic coming along Penn, it's a wonder why there aren't more
> accidents for either wheeled vehicles and pedestrians.
a trafic light at 34th later this year or early 2009.
>
> Would No Parking signs help at intersections to allow more visibility of
> cars coming from the off-streets onto Penn Ave. work? And maybe a Stop Sign at
> the streets just around the bend to slow up traffic instead of a light?
a problem along Penn, the City can install
no parking signs and paint the curbs yellow. A call to 311 can get
the ball rolling on those prolems.
> Lenore Williams
>
> In a message dated 3/23/2008 1:52:42 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
>
> Home.
> (http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15?ncid=a...)