[OMS_MANAGERS] Traffic Pattern Testing

[darin at discoverklamath.com]

Good morning, everyone!

This summer the City of Klamath Falls will be performing some testing around a long-debated issue: Main Street traffic patterns. The debate has gone on for decades regarding a one vs. two way Main Street. This project won’t touch that (which means that debate will continue on), but it will give residents, City leaders, AND MAIN STREET BUSINESSES a chance to experience a de-signalized Main Street and Klamath Avenue couplet.

We started this project over a year ago, and it’s finally coming back around to execution. Originally, there were only a handful of signals that were warrant-tested. When the Public Works director read us into the project, me and the then Development Services Manager asked, “why not test them all?” Well, they did, and it turns out none of the signals met warrants (which begs the question, why the heck did we install them way back when in the first place? But I digress …).

I think this is going to be a very exciting test, despite the number of people who are already poo-pooing the idea. I love the thought of our Main Street’s purpose shifting from a quick way to get from one end of downtown to the other to a Main Street that supports its independently-owned small businesses and a 24-hour neighborhood full of residents. I think it could have significant benefits – slowing traffic in our downtown, creating more foot traffic for retail and restaurants, creating a true multi-modal downtown that is safe for pedestrians, cyclists, scooter-riders, etc., and over time I think it will help to shift the business mix from professional services and transactional visits to a more retail-oriented downtown where people want to stay a while. I think the benefits to businesses will be most felt on the Klamath Avenue side of the couplet – businesses exist there, but it’s largely a raceway if you catch the signals at the right time.

Here's an article that describes the testing phase. I’m hopeful our businesses pay attention during this phase – their opinions should have the most weight in this conversation.

https://www.klamathfallsnews.org/news/city-to-test-new-traffic-pattern-downtown?format=amp

Thanks!


W. Darin Rutledge | Executive Director<https://dot.cards/darinrutledge>
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205 Riverside Drive, Suite B, Klamath Falls, OR 97601
800.445.6728 | 541.882.1501
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