Beginning in May of 2022, the project team gathered input on the proposed striping changes to Main Street from 700 South to 2100 South as part of the August 2022 street resurfacing project. The resurfacing project is not a street reconstruction project that alters curbs, landscaping, or traffic signals, but it creates an opportunity to reconsider the street design and prepare for future upgrades. The ongoing Life on State: Bikeways Study has been looking at ways to make Main Street a high-quality alternative to cycling on State Street, in addition to other street changes that improve safety and support the community. Resurfacing activities began the week of August 15th, 2022 and the work was completed by September. The addition of green bike lane striping and signage changes followed in September.
So, what did we hear?
Support for reducing the number of travel lanes between 800 South and 1700 South. While canvassing the corridor and talking to people, our team heard similar comments about this welcome change that will increase safety.
Support for crosswalk improvements.
Support for bike lane improvements, including providing parking-protected bike lanes, and extending bike lanes south into South Salt Lake.
Support for changes that help reduce speeding traffic.
Enthusiasm for additional investment on the corridor. Many people said they welcome basic changes but don’t want it to stop there. More trees, landscaping, more place, less pavement.
The resurfacing project took steps toward these goals by making the following changes:
One travel lane in each direction with center two-way-left-turn lane, which functions as a left turn lane at intersections and provides space for future crosswalk refuge islands. This will require reducing the existing number of vehicle lanes between 800 South and 1700 South, matching the design that exists between 1700 South and 2100 South. The reduction of travel lanes to one in each direction with a center turn lane will have major safety benefits at crosswalks, while also reducing the frequency of vehicle crashes by as much as 25%.
Bike lanes widened (6 ft minimum) including painted buffer where space allows.
Improvements to bike lane continuity at intersections.
Parallel on-street parking was maintained next to curb/gutter, widened in some areas where parking currently encroaches into the bike lane. Existing parking stalls set back from the travel lane that are within City property, between the roadway and sidewalk, are not impacted.
Why not parking-protected bike lanes?
This was a common response from people who shared feedback about the striping plan, since the design has worked well on 200 E and 300 East (500 South to 900 South). It’s a fair question, and there a few reasons why Main Street is not a great candidate:
Frequent driveways and parkstrip parking create discontinuities and conflict points in the PPBL.
The area next to the curb and gutter is not a good place to position cyclists. The curb is crumbling into the gutter, pavement is rough, and driveway tie-ins are irregular.
The buffered bike lane will be swept and kept free of snow without additional maintenance requirements.
The Big Picture
While the resurfacing and roadway striping changes won’t accomplish everything, the corridor is better positioned for future planned upgrades in 2022 and beyond. The City has developed a vision document for long-term, transformational improvements on Main Street that will narrow the pavement width and add a separated bike lane and wider sidewalks from 700 South to 2100 South. The new design will also include features like street trees, waterwise landscaping, public art, sidewalk dining, and bike parking. These features will vary depending on the land use of individual street segments, so that the City’s investment can best support businesses and residents along Main Street. This future effort will require a full reconstruction of the street, and is a more significant investment than the City can afford at this time. In the meantime, incremental steps are being taken that will address many of the immediate safety concerns (especially at crossings) and provide significant bicycling improvements.
Main Street Final Striping Plan
Question or comments:
801-535-7764