The McPherson City Commission defended its decision to move N. Main Street to three lanes after residents questioned the impact of the change.
Mayor Tom Brown said he had received several comments about the move from four lanes to three with many residents concerned about the ability to turn left off of Main Street.
“I know there has been some concern, especially from the Hulse and Sixth intersection to the shopping center,” Brown said during Monday’s commission meeting. “We are aware of the left-turn problems and are looking at all solutions.”
The city has been studying the lane change for nearly a year. A series of public meetings were held in 2010 and many public comments supported the consolidation of lanes.
“It was a positive option during the public meetings last year,” Brown said. “People liked the idea of three lanes.”
The decision to reduce the number of lanes on N. Main was made with several benefits in mind including a larger area for bicyclists and a reduction in accidents.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, the conversion of four lane undivided roads into three lanes - called road diets - has been shown to reduce vehicle speed and vehicle interactions during lane changes, which has the potential to reduce the number and severity of vehicle-to-vehicle crashes.
The Federal Highway Administration also found that pedestrians may benefit because “hey have fewer lanes of traffic to cross, and because motor vehicles are likely to be moving more slowly.”
Commissioner Mike Alkire said some studies have shown up to a 30-percent reduction in accidents.
And while there is not room on N. Main to create a true bike lane, there will be space for bicyclists to more safely operate on the road.
The wider lanes will also be safer for semi trucks, McPherson Area Solid Waste Utility vehicles and other wide vehicles. The current lanes on N. Main Street are too narrow for some vehicles.
Browns said there had been some concern expressed over the cost of striping the road but noted that that cost would have been incurred either way because the mill and overlay work on the road.
The commission has not yet made up its mind on the stop light at Main Street and Hulse/Sixth Streets. Brown said several people have asked to keep the light a flashing yellow but Brown said he wants to see how easily a vehicle can turn left before a final decision is made.
The commission is also still looking at the possibility of making E. First Street a three-lane road. If that change was made, said McPherson Public Works Director there would be room for a bike lane, which would give the city a bike lane for a major north-south and east-west road.
Brown emphasized that this decision was not made “under the covers” and that the city welcomes comments about change.
“Keep an open mind on this,” said Commissioner Bob Moore. “Let’s try this for a year.”
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The McPherson City Commission defended its decision to move N. Main Street to three lanes after residents questioned the impact of the change.
Mayor Tom Brown said he had received several comments about the move from four lanes to three with many residents concerned about the ability to turn left off of Main Street.
“I know there has been some concern, especially from the Hulse and Sixth intersection to the shopping center,” Brown said during Monday’s commission meeting. “We are aware of the left-turn problems and are looking at all solutions.”
The city has been studying the lane change for nearly a year. A series of public meetings were held in 2010 and many public comments supported the consolidation of lanes.
“It was a positive option during the public meetings last year,” Brown said. “People liked the idea of three lanes.”
The decision to reduce the number of lanes on N. Main was made with several benefits in mind including a larger area for bicyclists and a reduction in accidents.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, the conversion of four lane undivided roads into three lanes - called road diets - has been shown to reduce vehicle speed and vehicle interactions during lane changes, which has the potential to reduce the number and severity of vehicle-to-vehicle crashes.
The Federal Highway Administration also found that pedestrians may benefit because “hey have fewer lanes of traffic to cross, and because motor vehicles are likely to be moving more slowly.”
Commissioner Mike Alkire said some studies have shown up to a 30-percent reduction in accidents.
And while there is not room on N. Main to create a true bike lane, there will be space for bicyclists to more safely operate on the road.
The wider lanes will also be safer for semi trucks, McPherson Area Solid Waste Utility vehicles and other wide vehicles. The current lanes on N. Main Street are too narrow for some vehicles.
Browns said there had been some concern expressed over the cost of striping the road but noted that that cost would have been incurred either way because the mill and overlay work on the road.
The commission has not yet made up its mind on the stop light at Main Street and Hulse/Sixth Streets. Brown said several people have asked to keep the light a flashing yellow but Brown said he wants to see how easily a vehicle can turn left before a final decision is made.
The commission is also still looking at the possibility of making E. First Street a three-lane road. If that change was made, said McPherson Public Works Director there would be room for a bike lane, which would give the city a bike lane for a major north-south and east-west road.
Brown emphasized that this decision was not made “under the covers” and that the city welcomes comments about change.
“Keep an open mind on this,” said Commissioner Bob Moore. “Let’s try this for a year.”
