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.
Members of the public can also learn more about the project by attending a virtual question and answer session via WebEx at 6 p.m. Nov. 10 with staff from the city’s engineering and planning departments.
Anyone interested in participating should contact Emilie Pinkston, senior planner with the planning department, to request instructions for access to the session. She can be reached at [email protected] or 812-376-2550.
The city began evaluating the 17th Street — 19th Street corridor in 2015 with a Plan4Health grant from the American Planning Association and partnered with Columbus Regional Health Healthy Communities to assess needed improvements for walking and biking near the three parks.
As a result of public input, a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon or HAWK signal has been added to the 17th and Washington Street intersection; similar signals are planned for 19th Street and Central Avenue, as well as 19th and Hawcreek Avenue.
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A video about the corridor options is available at columbus.in.gov/17and19/. The video will be available until Nov. 25.
Posters of the two improvement options will be shown at Donner Center and can be viewed any time between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday through Nov. 25. Visitors to the center must wear face coverings.
Anyone with questions about the project can contact Emilie Pinkston, senior planner with the planning department, at 812-376-2550 or [email protected].
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What: A virtual Q&A session regarding corridor improvement options
When: 6 p.m. Nov. 10
How to attend: Contact Emilie Pinkston at [email protected] or 812-376-2550 to request instructions for access to the WebEx video conference.
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A link to a survey regarding corridor improvement options can be found at www.columbus.in.gov/17and19/. The survey ends Nov. 25.
Feedback can also be directed to Emilie Pinkston at 812-376-2550 or [email protected] through the same date.
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