In any case, not having sidewalks is a bad idea. Take Stewart Street for example. Large sections of it have no sidewalk and people still walk on it anyway, and stewart st. has no shoulder at all. All this talk of roundabouts is exciting though. Plus, with 4 lanes instead of 5 there would be, as Ryan pointed out, more room for cyclists to be comfortably passed by vehicles.On 03/20/11, Ryan Post <rpostwvu@gmail.com> wrote:
It sounds like the lack of turning lane is due to roadway space. Certainly 4 lanes is good, and does provide easy passing for bicycles. I can see that a sidewalk is better than a turning lane, if a choice has to be made.
I might wonder how many would prefer to on the right, then walk across, rather than u-turning to make a left. 4 lanes would be daunting with a narrow median though…but I guess we already do that at the Coliseum on US19.
The roundabouts, I think are great. I hate sitting at inefficient traffic lights. I’ve never heard a valid reason why not to use them, even on cycling forums. Learning curve is not at all valid for avoiding anything. I am curious how people will learn to use them, since we’re jumping straight into a 2lane rotary.
From: David Bruffy [mailto:Bruffy@busride.org]
Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2011 10:54 AM
To: Ryan Post; 'Bicycle Board'
Subject: RE: [Bikeboard] Mileground
Ryan,
The Citizen's Advisory Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee both recommended the round-a-bouts after studying the alternatives. Answers to your questions about safety, left turns, etc., led both groups to recommend the divided 4-lane. I suggest the Bike Board ask Mr. Austin for a full presentation on the facts related to the divided 4-lane option.
When our community was trying to get a Mileground Bypass, the State DOH said we were divided and would not move on the project. In this instance, the community is not divided and has made a decision and forwarded it on to the State. Unfortunately, there are now a few business/property owners who are directly lobbying the Acting Governor in an attempt to overrule the public process that led to the divided 4-lane decision. These "special" few are proposing 5 lanes only 10 feet wide with no sidewalks. Don't let a few people with money hold the entire community hostage by allowing a less desirable and less functional roadway to be built. Let's do this right! The 4-lane option moves traffic faster than the 5-lane option and is safer for everyone according to the engineering studies and the Federal Highway Administration.
I implore you to get all the facts and I believe you, too, will conclude the round-a-bout option is best for our ENTIRE community.
David Bruffy
General Manager
Mountain Line Transit Authority
420 DuPont Road
Morgantown, WV 26501
(304) 296-3680 Office
(304) 291-7433 Route Information
(304) 291-7429 FAX
From: bikeboard-bounces@cheat.org [bikeboard-bounces@cheat.org] On Behalf Of Ryan Post [rpostwvu@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2011 9:43 AM
To: 'Bicycle Board'
Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] MilegroundThe dates on the timeline are all in 2010, does this mean this is much further forward than what is on here?
I like the roundabout, it’s about time WV installed something intelligent. I’m not sure about having to go all the way down to one, making a 180 and back in order to make a Left turn though.
I don’t know why a mountable median would be the preferred choice. As I see it:
Turning lanes provide:
immediate left turn opportunity,
ability to cross 1 direction of traffic and wait to merge when,
#BIKE RELATED# Room for cars to move into when passing cyclists.
From: bikeboard-bounces@cheat.org [mailto:bikeboard-bounces@cheat.org] On Behalf Of Frank Gmeindl
Sent: Friday, March 18, 2011 9:49 PM
To: Morgantown Bike Board
Subject: [Bikeboard] Mileground
Bicycle Board Members,
Attached is a flyer that describes the proposed Mileground improvement that the MPO and WVDOH settled on. You'll see that it is 4 lanes with a a sidewalk on one side, "mountable" divider and roundabouts at 705 and Airport Blvd..
Mileground property owners are campaigning to eliminate the sidewalk and for a center turn lane instead of a mountable divider.
Please communicate with Bill Austin for questions or comments.
FYI, a mountable divider enables emergency vehicles to cross it but discourages most motor vehicles from crossing it.
Bill Austin, AICP
Executive Director
Morgantown Monongalia MPO
82 Hart Field Road Ste. 105
Morgantown, WVA 26505
304-692-7225 Mobile
Frank
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