One effect of the wide streets is the creation of overly large intersections that put pedestrians unnecessarily at risk, the report states.
NORTHAMPTON – A small park in front of City Hall and the narrowing of Main Street and part of King Street are among the recommendations contained in a report on traffic improvements submitted by a Boston consulting firm.
Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates delivered the report last week, some three months after it held a design charrette in Northampton to identify and discuss areas of traffic concern in and around downtown. The charrette is part of the city’s long-term plan to improve streets and intersections in the area with an eye towards making them safer and more efficient for motor vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles.
The report identifies several basic problems, notably the excessive width of Main Street and part of King Street. Both, according to the consultants, are over-designed for their needs. The result, the report states, is a significant decrease in safety. It suggest narrowing Main Street and lower King from four traffic lanes to two, at the same time widening sidewalks and adding dedicated bike lane.
One effect of the wide streets is the creation of overly large intersections that put pedestrians unnecessarily at risk, the report states. The intersection of Main, Craft Ave., Old South Street and Hawley Street is particularly over-designed, according to the report. Among its suggestions to alleviate problems there is the creation of a plaza or small park in front of City Hall. The Planning Department has already requested funding for such a project from the Community Preservation Committee, but its application was denied because the committee felt the idea had not been adequately developed. The report also identifies the intersection of Main, State and Elm streets as a dangerous pedestrian crossing with overly long traffic signals.
Another suggestion aimed at increased traffic safety is a switch to reverse angle parking on Main and King streets. Currently, cars pull into those parking spaces front first. In 2007, the city experimented with reverse-angle parking, in which cars pull in front of the spaces and back in, but the idea was abandoned after a brief trial.
In their report, the consultants deem the downtown areas inhospitable to bicyclists. They call for more bike racks and connections to the Norwottuck Rail Trail. It report also suggests the creation of “cycletrack” on upper King Street, path dedicated to pedestrians and bicyclists that are separated from traffic by a ten-foot vegetated buffer.
Planning Director Wayne Feiden said the report, which the city paid for with $24,814 in state funding, is the first step in what will likely be a long discussion involving various city board, private constituencies and residents.
“It’s still being processed,” he said, “but we’re looking for some low-hanging fruit.”
One such doable project, Feiden said, could be the resign if the Main/State/Elm intersection, which could be accomplished with relatively little money.
The Transportation and Parking Commission will invite discussion of the report at its next meeting, Feiden said. After that, the city will be on the lookout for grants to undertake some of the suggested improvements.