Comments on: Stretch Of Eastern Parkway Going On ‘Road Diet’

By: Branden Klayko

Branden Klayko — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:59:58 +0000

I am not sure that the lanes will be any narrower on Eastern Parkway than they are now. They may even get a little bit wider. The street itself won’t get any narrower (curb to curb), it will just be reconfigured.

Now, the lanes are pretty wide, and by converting 2 of the 4 to bike lanes, reducing their width, and allocating that space to medians, it shouldn’t create any more constricted lane driving. And by giving cyclists their own dedicated lane in each direction, conflicts should be reduced in the driving lane.

On the other hand, wider lanes promote faster speeds, so sometimes a narrower travel lane could be a good traffic calming device.

By: Lawrence Gettleman

Lawrence Gettleman — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:35:42 +0000

The plan for Eastern Parkway should have been piloted using pylons or temprorary barriers to see if it would work. Narrow lanes may increase the danger to motoristsas well as bicycle riders and pedestrians. Traffic on both ends may become more congested and frustrating for everyone. Do a pilot study first.

By: Branden Klayko

Branden Klayko — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:16:12 +0000

Good news for Eastern Parkway… The road diet project will be finished by the end of this year, not next year.

By: Branden Klayko

Branden Klayko — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:15:06 +0000

I tend to agree, Dave. Jaywalking was originally used as a term in L.A. to describe a behavior of crossing in the middle of a block. Later, it became illegal in Boston (I believe). I wonder if people would walk through the landscaped medians to cross the street without them? Any thoughts?

By: Dave Morse

Dave Morse — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:54:04 +0000

I don’t like the stupid railing idea. J-walking is not dangerous. Or rather, several studies show it is less dangerous than crossing in crosswalks. The people making these changes in the name of ’safety’ need to recall who’s using the loaded weapon. We should reduce vehicular speeds to the point where they don’t pose a danger to reasonably vigilant pedestrians, not put our pedestrians in cages. People need to be able to efficiently cross that street.

Southwestern Parkway West of 264 was the recipient of a road diet a few years back as well.

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:41:09 +0000

This has been desperately needed for years, and I’m so glad to see that it is finally going to happen. I came to Louisville to attend UofL eight years ago, and was surprised at how ‘crummy’ this area of campus looked. Then the promises of road improvements began, and of course we assumed nothing would ever come of it. These plans look great, and will compliment the great improvements already made to the main entrance to campus at “the oval” on Third Street.
Sorry… forgot to say great post – can’t wait to read your next one!

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:41:50 +0000

By: john

john — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:37:00 +0000

There is a plan for a portion of lower Brownsboro Road to go through a “lane diet” as well. It was to be completed using money from the Recovery Act, but has been removed from the list due to a delay in completing an air-quality analysis.