COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus is looking for public input on two different options for bicycle and pedestrian improvements on the 17th Street — 19th Street corridor.
The corridor provides bicyclists and pedestrians access to the People Trail and three community parks — Noblitt, Donner and Lincoln — at either end.
“With its current designation as a bicycle route where bicyclists share the street with motor vehicle traffic and intermittent sidewalks throughout, the route is in need of improvements in order to make it comfortable and safe for pedestrians and bicyclists of all ages and abilities,” city officials said in a statement.
The city is considering utilizing one of two possible options along the full length of the corridor — a bicycle boulevard or a sidepath.
Bicycle boulevards are defined as “streets with low motorized traffic volumes and speeds designed to give bicycle travel the priority.” Sidepaths are a shared space for both bicyclists and pedestrians on a path parallel to the street.
The city has created a video detailing the specific ways both options could be implemented along the corridor, as well as the advantages and disadvantages for each.
“It’s important to note that even if you don’t consider yourself a bicyclist or a pedestrian, the improvements detailed in this video, such as street trees and traffic-calming measures, can still add value to the neighborhood by enhancing the character of the street,” the video states.
The bicycle boulevard design includes traffic circles, traffic diverters and new sidewalks.
The sidepath design includes an 11-foot-wide off-street path, four-way stops, high visibility paint and curb shifts. It also includes reconstruction of existing parking areas at the Washington Court Apartments and relocation of overhead powerlines on Washington Street.
After watching the video, members of the public are encouraged to take a short survey to provide feedback on the improvement options. The video and survey link can both be found on the city website at www.columbus.in.gov/17and19/ and will be available until Nov. 25. Posters of the two improvement options will also be on display at Donner Center through the same date.
For more on this story, see Sunday’s Republic.
