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One-ways to two-ways discussed

One-ways to two-ways discussed
Posted on 11/15/2017
A photo of westbound one-way West 4th StreetDavenport aldermen heard a presentation Tuesday about converting 3rd and 4th streets from one-way to two-way thoroughfares as Davenport Downtown Partnership Director Kyle Carter said the time is right.

Carter and consultant Doug Boyer said Davenport meets the criteria for converting the streets between East River Drive and Marquette to two-ways that could accommodate one lane of traffic in each direction, a left-turn lane, bike lanes and parallel parking.

The plan recommended by the Downtown Partnership would be to use stop signs and stop lights. No traffic circles are in the plan. The cost of the conversion, estimated by the partnership is $1.2 to $1.5 million.

The criteria considered included whether it would help with downtown revitalization, that it would allow traffic to flow, the traffic count is low enough with River Drive counting as a bypass and streets are wide enough to be converted.

Carter said two-way traffic on 3rd and 4th streets would help with development in the western part of the downtown. He also noted that Des Moines and Cedar Rapids are also considering changes to one-ways.

Aldermen did raise concerns about loading zones, wayfinding and outreach throughout the city to the changes. They also wanted a concrete cost estimate from City staff. City Administrator Corri Spiegel said the issue could be discussed in City Council goal-setting.