Charlotte Transportation Action Plan

[dubone]

I have combined this thread with the details of the Transportation Action Plan that graydog posted.

Charlotte looks like it is primed for major improvements in its transportation infrastructure planning. It is really pursuing stronger design guidelines for streets and thoroughfares in the city. It will improve pedestrian and bike access to all the streets. Also, as part of the Urban Streets Design Guidelines, the streets will be designed in a way to improve the appearance of thoroughfares and streets.

It will also make sure that land use plans are consistent with the transportation plan, so that denser developments of retail, office, and residential are built in centers with better connectivity and infrastructure.

[Norm2]

Thats GREAT! Wait....didnt Toni the Tiger say that? lol

[dubone]

Some other interesting elements in this plan:

- Recommend new funding alternatives by 2008

- Maintain a list of streets that should never be widened

- Build 625 miles of new sidewalks by 2030

- Build 150 miles of bikeway by 2015 and 350 miles of by 2030

- Consider additional policy against gated roadways

[dubone]

Here is the map of "centers, corridors, and wedges". Wedges are intended to be more suburban in nature, with single-family homes, and so forth. The corridors are for higher density projects, TOD, and will be where all the higher capacity transportation facilities will go. The centers are existing shopping and employment centers, and will be where a significant majority of office and retail will be required to be built.

If the city sticks with this plan, it could help Eastland redevelop, as suburban office and other retail could go there, but would be denied in most of the rest of east Charlotte.

[graydog]

This is cool. Charlotte's Department of Transportation is doing a Pedestrian and Bicycle Neighborhood Connectivity Study. According to their site, the goal is "to identify citywide projects that can enhance connectivity for bicycle and pedestrian access within Charlotte neighborhoods."

They're gathering public input at 4 workshops Jan. 24 - 28. Check out the details here:

http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Transp...ivity+Study.htm

Bonus: Special guest Mark Fenton is the special guest speaker. He hosts "the new PBS series "America's Walking" and is one of the nation's foremost walking experts."

[orulz]

Sounds neat.

This might be a less objectionable way to "open up" cul-de-sacs. The extra half-mile that you have to go to get out of your neghborhood because of poor interconnection might not matter when you're in a car, but when you're walking or biking it makes a huge difference. While most people probably don't want automotive through traffic on their cul-de-sacs, they might not oppose having people bike, walk, or jog through.

If only these connections could show up on street maps somehow it would be nice. Without that, it's hard to figure out where you can go and how you can get there on a bike. At least some sort of wayfinding like signed bike routes might be nice.

Although it doesn't solve the problem of neighborhoods dumping all their automotive traffic onto one thoroughfare through one exit, it is one step in the right direction.

[DigitalSky]

I think one of the biggest thing charlotte needs is better/more connectivity. Sounds like a very good thing

[graydog]

This is a great first step. It will take many more. Cul-de-sacs and quiet, unconnected streets are highly valued. Heck, lots of people don't like sidewalks because they take up front yard space.

The first neighborhoods to receive better connectivity could easily see home values take a hit. The city will need to get the right projects to get this concept going. Slow and easy is the way to do it. Plus keep pushing connectivity on new developments.

[orulz]

Yes, that's the problem. Grafting connectivity on after the fact, even if it's just a foot path, will be a painful process. Cities should have very restrictive ordinances about connectivity in new construction to prevent this issue from coming up in the first place.

[dubone]

http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Transp...Action+Plan.htm

There is a survey online as part of CDOT gaining input on priorities. There are also more documents to read, for all you addicts out there.

[DigitalSky]

Cool, just took the survey and I hope they sincerely read my comments.

[ChiefJoJo]

It's really a progressive document, if you consider figure 6, which recommends no widening take place on the streets listed. Charlotte is leading the way in progressive urban transportation and land use planning in NC.

[dubone]

I agree that the concept of "not widening", and actually reducing widths by way of adding street parking, bulb-outs, and bike lanes is very progressive an urban. While they they are definitely doing that, I think that chart is more constrained by money rather than need or ideals. There are a few roads in figure 6 that probably need widening.

[reverbandwhiskey]

Take a moment to let Charlotte know we want more bike lanes!

Charlotte, NC -- The Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) is recommending $3.5 Billion be spent to address transportation issues the City will face over the next 25 years, due to current deficiencies and to better accommodate our growth. Charlotte's vision is to become one of the premier cities in the nation for integrating land use and transportation choices, but current funding challenges stand in Charlotte's way.

A draft of Charlotte's first, comprehensive transportation plan, known as the Transportation Action Plan (TAP), was presented to City Council during last week's retreat. Charlotte's next step is to engage the public in the process, determine their funding priorities, and help raise awareness that current transportation conditions will continue deteriorating over time if the TAP doesn't get funded.

Get involved:

Local residents can participate by taking a transportation funding and priorities survey or by attending one of four public workshops. The survey will be available on-line from February 6 through March 31, 2006 and is open to all Charlotte residents and those in surrounding counties.

Workshop Schedule:

Saturday, February 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

University City Regional Library

201 East W.T. Harris Boulevard, Charlotte

Saturday, February 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

West Boulevard Branch Library

2157 West Boulevard, Charlotte

Saturday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Eastland Mall Community Room, entrance near Belk

5471 Central Avenue, Charlotte

Saturday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Morrison Regional Library

7015 Morrison Boulevard, Charlotte

During the workshops, participants will get the chance to:

- Learn why Charlotte needs $3.5 billion to fund transportation needs

- Learn what transportation projects and programs need funding

- Learn how conditions will change with and without the TAP

- Talk with City staff in departments with key focus areas in the TAP

- Voice their opinions about Charlotte's transportation vision and funding plan

- Make recommendations

- Take a survey to indicate their transportation funding priorities.

More information:

Visit Charlotte Department of Transportation web site at http://cdot.charmeck.org for workshop logistics and directions, to take the survey and to download a draft of Charlotte's Transportation Action Plan.

Now is your chance to help make Charlotte a better city for cycling. Please take a moment to fill out the survey online. Making it out to one of the meetings would be huge. Bring your bike helmet.

[MZT]

I doubt much money will become available for transit initiatives. The fireside theatre which is our school board takes up too much political air and the school system is constantly bellyaching for money. That's why the last budget had .. what ... a 28 year resurfacing cycle?