[LCN Newscast] McLendon Ave, In-Depth Update

[newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org]

McLendon Avenue Improvements Update
Ryan Gesser, McLendon Avenue Improvements Liaison
2004 May 30


The construction of traffic calming measures on McLendon Avenue
was temporarily suspended as of June 1, 2004, while the City's
Public Works department reviews the design of the bulbouts that
have already been constructed in Candler Park and Lake Claire.
There are concerns about the effectiveness of the bulbouts in
promoting the safe use of McLendon by motorists, cyclists, and
pedestrians, all of whom share the roadway on a daily basis.

The bulbouts' purpose as a traffic calming measure and safety
device is twofold: to provide a refuge that narrows the width of
street that pedestrians must cross and to create a "pinch point"
that causes traffic to slow down.  The bulbouts will also serve
to define and shelter on-street parking areas between
intersections, which will be limited to the southern (eastbound)
side of McLendon.  In addition to intersection and pedestrian
accessibility improvements, bulbouts have always been part of the
conceptual plan to slow vehicle traffic along the length of
McLendon Avenue.

However, the City is implementing a construction plan that
includes bulbouts projecting 10 feet from the existing curb, a
size numerous people (some of whom have experience in traffic
engineering, many others who are simply applying common sense)
think is unsafe because it narrows the travel lanes too much.  Of
particular concern is bicycle traffic, which is especially
prevalent in Lake Claire since McLendon is part of the
Atlanta-Stone Mountain PATH trail.

McLendon has long been recognized as a preferred cyclist route,
reflected in 1995 when the City designated the roadway on its
Commuter Bicycling Plan.  Many residents are avid cyclists who
use the roadway for recreation and commuting to nearby work and
leisure destinations.  Lake Claire has always felt a sense of
responsibility for ownership of the PATH since it brings so many
people to and through the neighborhood.  For these reasons, the
neighborhood has consistently emphasized the importance of
bicycle accommodations in its Community Development Plans, review
of conceptual plans for traffic calming improvements, and other
personal communications with the City.  To address these
concerns, the neighborhood worked closely with the City
throughout 2003 before construction began to ensure that the
McLendon plan would enhance bikeability, or at least make no
changes that would permanently discourage safe cycling in Lake
Claire.  At that time, the neighborhood engaged the assistance of
Dennis Hoffarth from the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign to apply his
experience working with the City on bike-friendly traffic plans
and advocate the neighborhood's interests and those of the
greater cycling community.

Not surprisingly, many residents were alarmed when the first
bulbouts were constructed in February 2004 and it became apparent
that cyclists and motorists would be sharing less space on
McLendon.  Since construction began, Lake Claire and ABC
articulated their concerns to the City that the outcome of the
project might be a less safe McLendon.  The City proceeded with
construction until May 13th, when the City's project managers,
City council representatives Archibong and Fauver (who represents
Candler Park) agreed to meet to review the plans and any
solutions that might be feasible at this point.  Despite concerns
about the project schedule and budget, the City seems to
recognize that Lake Claire has always emphasized the need to
enhance the mutual safety of motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians
that share McLendon, and that the existing design plan may
threaten this objective.  Following this meeting, the City's
project manager addressed the LCN monthly meeting on May 19th to
hear residents' feedback about the construction and advise the
neighborhood that the City had temporarily suspended work to
evaluate what could be done at this point.  The overwhelming
majority of residents are very much in favor of the traffic
calming measures but expressed concern about the size of the
bulbouts that have already been constructed.  A recent "Lane
Ranger" article that appeared in the May 30th edition of the AJC
further articulated many of the residents' and cyclists' concerns
and brought more attention to the project.

The City is undoubtedly in a tough position since they must
balance the competing concerns about motorist, cyclist, and
pedestrian safety while allowing adequate space for on street
parking and safe passage of City vehicles (e.g., MARTA, sanitary,
and emergency services).  McLendon's narrow width (32 feet)
precludes having adequate travel lanes, on street parking, and a
dedicated bike lane.  The alternative that the neighborhood and
ABC have been advocating is to reduce the size of the bulbouts to
6 or 7 feet, and use striping to create a bikeable shoulder that
provides refuge for cyclists, especially on uphill sections where
motor vehicles are most likely to create an unsafe situation by
passing a cyclist.

At this point in the project, the City's job is that much tougher
because we have asked the City to better accommodate cyclists
without compromising the other improvements planned for McLendon
(e.g., intersection improvements at Lakeshore/Claire/Southerland
and Howard Circle) while completing the project within budget and
on schedule.  The City's project manager has made no firm
commitments, but has been responsive to our concerns and
indicated that they are looking at a wide range of possibilities,
including cutting back the bulbouts already in place, using a
smaller size for remaining bulbouts, and implementing the
neighborhood's and ABC's suggestions for using striping to
provide space for cyclists within the existing roadway.

Without question it is frustrating to residents and visitors of
Lake Claire that McLendon remains unfinished, and that project
completion could be delayed until the end of the summer to
accommodate any changes that City is willing and able to make.
However, most people agree that it would be better to make sure
the project is done right to address the neighborhood's concerns
and suggestions rather than to allow the City to hastily complete
the project and create a less safe environment for our residents,
children, and visitors.  The ability to travel safely by bike,
foot, or car, for commuting or recreation, adds considerably to
the quality of life in Lake Claire and this project deserves the
neighborhood's commitment to see that it is completed in our best
interests.

Stay tuned to future Lake Claire "Newscast" postings and the June
LCN meeting for future updates on the City's plans and schedule
for completing the project.


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