Discussion to turn 11th & 12th Ave. into two-way streets

[Hack&Lube]

Bring back Electric Avenue?

[topfiverecords]

I used to recently live on one of these streets. I was both a pedestrian and a driver on both 11th and 12th many hundreds of times. I don't see how two-way improves anything. If you're looking for a quiet street to walk east-west that's what 13th avenue achieves. If you're using the businesses located on 11th or 12th avenues as a driver or pedestrian I'm not sure how it makes a difference. I never felt unsafe due to "speeding" traffic. At least there is no congestion blocking crosswalks, and no worry of traffic speeding in 2 directions.

11th Ave east of 4th street and 12th Ave west of 5th street could do with crosswalk bulbs at each parking lane to shorten crosswalk distances to 2 lanes instead of 4. Traffic on east 11th, and west 12th is rarely busy enough to need 3-4 lanes. You'd leave it as is on the remainder of the road where traffic accumulates so you can keep the rush hour no parking lanes in the busier areas.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Regardless if they keep 11th & 12, one way, I think parking should be removed permanently, on one side of both roads (north side?).

I live on west side of 12th, so get to experience rush hour anyway. It gets loud every morning, but I that's the price you pay for living on 12th.

However, I would really hate to see all the parking removed. It would make the street even more of a busy thoroughfare where nobody ever walks down. There's a school here, a new park, some new condos...I think it would be nice to have it be a little more pedestrian friendly, even if it remains as is.

I understand why 12th and 11th are the way they are, and I'm not sure turning them into 2 way would be necessary, but I definitely would prefer for them not to turn up what the already are.

[FlamesKickAss]

dumb idea. this was part of his campaign platform apparently though.

[Bigtime]

Would this have to go to a vote at council?

[troutman]

We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Oh we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher

[mykalberta]

oops

[mykalberta]

When the City decides on these sorts of things. What is the normal weighting of local R&C concerns vs local R&C ie commuters?

From the Citys perspective I would think pedestrian focus would be its number one concern and not commuters.

From someone who only uses the roads and area very infrequently the current posted speed limit is exceeded by quite a large margin at least the times I have been around the area.

[Rathji]

I work nearby, and typically walk down 11th and/or 12th to get to client sites. I don't see how this would benefit anyone.

[East Coast Flame]

Live in Sunalta and I hate this idea. I almost always use 11th and 12th to get through downtown.

[Zarley]

This is what we get for electing a hipster.

[Bill Bumface]

How about we start with the simple stuff, like actually putting sidewalks in along 10th avenue?

I find it embarassing that right in the core of our city you have to result to walking along mud trails to get anywhere.

[Pagal4321]

Why did people vote for Evan Wooley?!

*sigh*

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

Why did people vote for Evan Wooley?!

*sigh*

because John Mar

[corporatejay]

Here's the thing with Evan Wooley......I think he generally means well and his goal is to increase street level "pedestrian traffic" on 11th and 12th. This may not be the way to get there, but at least now other ideas might come to the forefront.

The kid is pretty green, give him time, he has good ideas.

[GGG]

The worst part of this idea is that if it is implemented it would include all of the other things Bunk mentions, Streetscaping, wide sidewalks, etc. Then it would be a success, not because of the 1/2way issue but because of all the other things that were added. Then it would be used as a blue print to remove one way streets. Instead just narrow up the lanes a little bit and people will drive slower, also add pedestrian islands at intersections to slow dow traffic as well. If traffic speed is the issue, address traffic speed not direction.

I find it interesting that the report Bunk quotes states "Buinesses feel that 2 way is better for business" rather than actaully study whether or not this is the case. I don't really care if someone feels its better. It either is better or isn't. I know I would perfer 10th ave to be 1 way around MEC just to make getting in and out of the parking lot easier.

In a lot of ways eliminating left turns make it easier to get in and out of businesses parking lots. And once you are an experienced one-way street user getting to a place on a 1 way street is quite easy.

[cal_guy]

This study seems to show the benefits of two-way street that ban left turns over one-way streets.

http://www.uctc.net/access/41/access41_twoway.shtml

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

Here's the thing with Evan Wooley......I think he generally means well and his goal is to increase street level "pedestrian traffic" on 11th and 12th. This may not be the way to get there, but at least now other ideas might come to the forefront.

The kid is pretty green, give him time, he has good ideas.

The good thing is that all of his ideas have happened in other cities - but what works in Vancouver may not work in Calgary - especially two streets downtown

And am all for what he is trying to do (ala kensington) but there are still large portions of 17th ave/4th street with dead space..I mean when a 7-11 closes down in the heart of the city...

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

Here's the thing with Evan Wooley......I think he generally means well and his goal is to increase street level "pedestrian traffic" on 11th and 12th. This may not be the way to get there, but at least now other ideas might come to the forefront.

The kid is pretty green, give him time, he has good ideas.

I don't know much about him, but this seems to indicate to me that he has good intentions and bad ideas.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

I mean when a 7-11 closes down in the heart of the city...

I don't think that's related at all. Their corporate HQ, would not invest into that shop (among others), and staffing it was problematic.
You have two Macs stores within 5 blocks, and they do just fine, in less common areas.