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Council backs Sixteenth Street 'road‑diet' after staff review finds crash reductions likely
Summary
Following staff analysis and comparison with similar projects, the council signaled support to proceed with converting a 4‑lane segment of Sixteenth Street to a three‑lane section with a center left‑turn lane and bike lanes. Staff presented crash data, traffic volumes and estimated costs.
The Moline City Council agreed to proceed with a remarking project on Sixteenth Street that will convert a four‑lane section to a three‑lane cross‑section with a two‑way center left‑turn lane and bike lanes, after staff presented crash data and a benefit‑cost analysis.
Public comment included resident Susan Thompson, who said she lives off Seventeenth Street and worried the conversion would lengthen her commute: “When you restrain it down to 2 with just a turn lane in the middle, I don't know how long it'll take me to get out to go to work in the morning.” Council members discussed those access concerns during committee consideration.
City traffic staff presented a five‑year crash review and modeling for the corridor between Avenue of the Cities and 30th Avenue, about 0.8 miles. Staff reported an average daily traffic of about 13,700–14,000 vehicles, a posted speed limit of 30 mph with an observed average speed of 33 mph, and 36 crashes from February 2018 through 2022, including seven injury crashes and one fatality earlier this year. The presenter said the types of crashes a 4‑to‑3 conversion typically reduces include rear‑end collisions, same‑direction sideswipes and multiple‑threat right‑angle crashes.
Staff identified 15 of the 36 crashes (42 percent) as the types likely to be reduced by the conversion and applied National Highway Traffic Safety Administration average crash cost figures to estimate societal savings; the presentation said the remarking cost would be about $15,000–$20,000 and the project’s benefit‑cost ratio exceeded 3.
Council members who have driven similar conversions reported feeling safer on corridors after a lane reduction and noted additional benefits including lower speeds, improved pedestrian crossing conditions and new bike lanes that create a buffer for sidewalks. Several members acknowledged the project will require drivers, residents and businesses to adapt to new turning patterns and potential travel‑time changes; Alderson Macias and others noted alternate routes exist that can be used during peak periods.
There was no formal roll‑call vote recorded on the floor for this agenda item; council members signaled support and staff said they would proceed with project implementation steps, including finalizing striping plans and public outreach.
