Brenna Goth

The Republic | azcentral.com

Phoenix is retrofitting streets throughout the city with the goal of making them friendlier to bicycles and pedestrians.

Some streets are losing vehicle lanes under proposed projects. Others are getting new street lighting, bike lanes and intersection improvements.

The Phoenix City Council highlighted the changes as a priority for the city when it recently approved a "complete streets" policy. The aim is to improve infrastructure for multiple modes of transportation and will include modifying the Street Transportation Department’s design guidelines.

These are six major projects in the works:

1. Van Buren Street transformation

Where: Van Buren Street from Seventh to 40th streets. The first phase of the project will go from Seventh to 24th streets.

What: The city aims to improve safety in the area and make the street more welcoming for pedestrians and cyclists. The first phase would reduce vehicular lanes to one in each direction while adding buffered bike lanes and improved street lighting. Other changes include improving sidewalks with accessible ramps, adding shade and adding on-street parking. Phase two will extend from 24th Street to 40th Street.

When: Design for phase one is expected by mid-2019 with construction completed by late 2020. There's no timeline for phase two.

How much: $13.5 million from the Arizona Highway User Revenue Fund.

2. Bike lanes on Oak Street

Where: Oak Street from Third Street to State Route 51, then north to the Grand Canal.

What: The city would keep the same number of vehicle lanes but make a slew of other changes. Plans include improving sidewalks, lighting and signage as well as adding bicycle lanes and cycle tracks, according to the Street Transportation Department. Phoenix would also improve crossings at Seventh and 16th streets as well as Thomas Road. Oak Street’s curbside parking would be removed or shifted to accommodate the changes.

When: The city's Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee approved the project. The Street Transportation Department is identifying funding, according to spokeswoman Monica Hernandez. Construction is anticipated in the 2019 fiscal year, she said.

How much: $4 million from the Arizona Highway User Revenue Fund

3. A more walkable First Street

Where: First Street from McKinley to Moreland streets.

What: The project aims to make a growing downtown more walkable and attractive, and the blocks between Fillmore and McKinley streets already are complete. Plans include narrowing the roadway while adding bike lanes and on-street parking. Wide sidewalks, street lighting, trash cans, benches and landscaping also are part of the vision.

When: The Street Transportation Department is still completing an administrative process to start construction, Hernandez said. Construction will take a year.

How much: $3.2 million from the Arizona Highway User Revenue Fund.

4. Better biking on Missouri Avenue

Where: Missouri Avenue from 19th to 43rd avenues.

What: The project would keep existing vehicle lanes and would add bike lanes as well as intersection improvements.

When: The project assessment is done, with a public meeting coming up this fall, Hernandez said. Construction will start late in the 2018 fiscal year or early in the 2019 fiscal year, according to Hernandez.

How much: An estimated $1 million. The city is looking at sharing the cost of a crossing at Interstate 17 with other agencies, Hernandez said.

5. Bike lanes west of the Capitol

Where: Adams and Jefferson streets from 19th to 27th avenues.

What: The city removed one vehicle lane from Adams Street and added bike lanes. On Jefferson Street, vehicle lanes were narrowed to accommodate bike lanes.

When: This project was recently completed.

How much: $20,000.

6. 15th Avenue connectivity

Where: 15th Avenue between Van Buren Street and Interstate 17.

What: The city would add bike lanes between Van Buren Street and I-17 to connect to existing bike lanes. A vehicle lane would be removed between Van Buren and Harrison streets to make room for a two-way left-turn lane.

When: The public can give input at a meeting on July 27 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at Harmon Library, 1325 S. Fifth Ave. The project could be completed in fall 2017.

How much: An estimated $20,000 to $25,000.

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