DRAFT
Agenda Item #
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
06/13/2017
Agenda Report #
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Reduction of Lanes-13th Street Corridor
INITIATED BY: Engineering
Recommendation: Approval is requested for city manager to approve the attached
resolution in support and recommendation of permanent re-striping by Georgia
Department of Transportation (GDOT) of SR22/13th Street, from 7 lanes to 5
lanes between SR 1/Veterans Parkway and 10th Avenue and from 5 lanes to 3 lanes
between 10th Avenue and 13th Avenue.
Background: Staff has been working with Midtown Inc. on an effort to improve
connections between Midtown and Uptown. A Knight Foundation Grant was awarded
for the Minimum Grid Project which goal was to improve public spaces and
improve mobility within the core community. The aim is to improve connectivity
for drivers, pedestrians, cyclist, transit riders, etc. One of the primary
routes identified was the 13th Street Corridor. Phase I began with
implementing a road diet from 13th Avenue to Cherokee Avenue including bike
lanes and improving pedestrian crossings. This had made a tremendous
difference in the viability of this area. GDOT has a project to
resurface/restripe SR22/13Th Street to Macon Road/185. Discussions between
GDOT, City Staff and Midtown, Inc. began about the possibility to implement a
road diet and improve the corridor in accordance with the Minimum Grid Project.
The GDOT also have plans to make other improvements along the corridor to
improve pedestrian/ada access.
Analysis: It was recommended a test would be in order to determine the
potential impacts with reducing the lanes from 7 lanes to 5 lanes across the
viaduct and from 5 lanes to 3 lanes between 10th Avenue and 13th Avenue . A
permit was obtained from GDOT for the temporary lane closures. The lane were
closed from May 11, 2017 to May 31, 2017. Several members of staff, GDOT and
Midtown and others drove through the area during peak times to monitor traffic
and delays. Results from travel time studies from GDOT, experienced by staff,
the public determined the delays were minimal and in most cases less than a
minute. If the road diet is fully implemented other elements would be
incorporated to improve traffic flow in the area, i.e adjustment of signal
timings, additional signs and markings to clearly delineate lane drops, etc.
Also, overall traffic patterns would change with some travelers choosing under
utilized alternate routes.
Financial Considerations: The cost of resurfacing and re-striping would be the
responsibility of GDOT.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: There are no additional fiscal
impacts identified.
Legal Considerations: GDOT is asking for recommendation and support from the
City.
Recommended /Actions: Approval is requested for city manager to approve the
attached resolution in support and recommendation of permanent re-striping by
Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) of SR22/13th Street, from 7 lanes
to 5 lanes between SR 1/Veterans Parkway and 10th Avenue and from 5 lanes to 3
lanes between 10th Avenue and 13th Avenue.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUPPORT AND RECOMMENDATION FOR THE GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF LANES ALONG SR 22/13TH
STREET CORRIDOR FROM SEVEN (7) LANES TO FIVE (5) BETWEEN SR 1/VETERANS PARKWAY
AND 13TH AVENUE AND FROM FIVE (5) LANES TO THREE (3) BETWEEN 10TH AVENUE AND
13TH AVENUE.
WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Transportation has a resurfacing/restriping
project planned that includes the 13th Street Corridor; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has a desire to support economic development by
connecting communities in making streets more accessible to walk, bike, utilize
transit or drive; and,
WHEREAS, reducing the lanes provides opportunities to revitalize the
businesses and make critical services more accessible for pedestrians transit
riders.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
The City Manager is authorized to send the Georgia Department of Transportation
a letter of support for the proposed reduction of lanes along SR 22/13th Street
Corridor as outlined herein.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________ day of _____________, and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _____________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Garrett voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_______________________________ _________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
Attachments
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