Title
Authorizing Public Works to implement bicycle lanes on Payne Avenue between Phalen Boulevard and Hawthorne Avenue, and shared lane markings on Hawthorne Avenue between Edgerton Street and Payne Avenue.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul Department of Public Works received a request from community members to implement bicycle facilities on Payne Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Public Works received a letter of support for implementing bicycle facilities from the Payne-Phalen District Five Planning Council; and
WHEREAS, the letter cites benefits of the project to include improving access to Payne Avenue businesses, improving safety conditions for all roadway users, visually narrowing the driving lanes to slow traffic, and improving conditions for pedestrians crossing Payne Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the residents of the Payne-Phalen neighborhood desire safe and efficient north/south bicycle routes; and
WHEREAS, currently, there is a substantial gap in the bicycle network through Payne-Phalen neighborhood, with the nearest north/south routes being the I-35E trail to the west and the Bruce Vento Regional Trail to the east, a distance of about 2 miles; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Saint Paul approved a resolution ( RES PH 16-150) requesting that Ramsey County implement bicycle facilities on Edgerton Street between Maryland Avenue and Wheelock Parkway on 5/18/2016; and
WHEREAS, after implementation of the bicycle facilities on Edgerton Street in 2016, there would remain a gap in the bicycle network between Maryland Avenue and Phalen Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, Payne Avenue has a typical width of 46’, which is enough space to install bicycle lanes at a relatively low cost without removing on-street parking; and
WHEREAS, the bicycle lanes on Payne Avenue are not proposed at this time to extend north of Hawthorne Avenue due to a reduction in the width of Payne Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Hawthorne Avenue provides a safe route for people using bicycles to travel between Payne Avenue and Edgerton Street without removing on-street parking; and
WHEREAS, the combined route using Payne Avenue, Hawthorne Avenue, and Edgerton Street would provide a continuous north/south bicycle route connecting Phalen Boulevard and the Bruce Vento Regional Trail to Wheelock Parkway and the Grand Round; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of bicycle facilities on Payne Avenue and Hawthorne Avenue will be funded through the City of Saint Paul’s 8 - 80 Vitality Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Saint Paul approved the Saint Paul Bicycle Plan (RES 15-476) on 3/18/2015; and
WHEREAS, although the Saint Paul Bicycle Plan did not identify Payne Avenue for implementation of bicycle facilities, Public Works recommends installation due to the high benefits and low impacts associated with the project; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Bicycle Plan will be amended at a future date to include the addition of the proposed route on Payne Avenue and Hawthorne Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Public Works collaborated with neighborhood residents to present the project at a meeting of the Payne Avenue Business Association on 3/15/2016 to present information and receive feedback on the project as proposed; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Committee of the Planning Commission considered the proposal for bicycle lanes on Payne Avenue on 5/2/2016 and offered comments and recommendations about the design as proposed; and
WHEREAS, no parking removal is proposed as part of this project; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul does herby authorize Public Works to implement bicycle lanes on Payne Avenue between Phalen Boulevard and Hawthorne Avenue, and shared lane markings on Hawthorne Avenue between Edgerton Street and Payne Avenue as stated in the attached Summary of Engineering Recommendations.