Staff proposes targeted lane reductions, multimodal paths for two 2019 bond road projects

Tim Miles, city engineer, presented preliminary design changes for two road projects funded by the 2019 Transportation Bond at the City Council Community Planning and Transportation Committee on April 25.

Miles said the 40 Eighth Avenue Northwest project (Robinson Street to Rock Creek Road) and the 20 Fourth Avenue Northeast project (Rock Creek Road to Tecumseh Road) face physical constraints — floodplain, limited development potential and utility easements — that make the originally proposed continuous three‑ or four‑lane cross sections costly and unnecessary for current traffic volumes.

Why it matters: staff recommended narrowing pavement where through turn movements are rare, widening only at intersections that warrant turn lanes, and using 10‑foot off‑street multiuse paths rather than continuous on‑street bike lanes in segments where a separated path serves residents better. The changes are intended to reduce construction and storm‑sewer impacts while preserving the ability to add lanes if future development requires them.

Project specifics: Miles said the 40 Eighth Avenue NW corridor carries about 4,200 vehicles per day and that the south half of the project (near Robinson Street) will be reconstructed to match the existing four‑lane intersections. North of Davenbrook Drive, staff proposes a two‑lane segment (with intersection widenings at Stonegate and Saddleback) to avoid costly floodplain work and compensatory storage; the roadway would widen again approaching Rock Creek Road.

For 20 Fourth Avenue NE, the bond language called for a four‑lane roadway, but Miles said the corridor’s roughly 3,800 vehicles per day and prevailing large‑acreage residential parcels do not justify full widening today. He said many utility lines (OG&E) lie in private easements outside the city right‑of‑way, which would increase relocation costs. Miles suggested a three‑lane cross section as a fiscally prudent interim solution while preserving options for future developer‑funded widening.

Grant pursuit and timing: Miles said staff applied for federal grant funding through a program routed by the Absentee Shawnee Tribe; an application was debriefed and staff reported a reviewer categorization error that reduced the project’s initial score. Miles said a three‑lane design would improve the benefit‑cost ratio in future applications. He estimated 20 Fourth could be the sooner candidate for federal funds; the 40 Eighth north segment may come later in the program (possible 2028–29 timeframe), with exact timelines depending on grant outcomes.

Committee questions and next steps: Councilor Montoya asked about stormwater improvements on 40 Eighth Avenue; Miles said the project will add pavement drainage and storm sewer under the road, plus curb in areas where feasible, but noted that large adjacent ponds and floodplain areas limit how quickly standing water will drain. Councilor Hinkle raised safety concerns about how a widened 20 Fourth could redirect traffic onto a narrow, hilly section of Tecumseh and noted that companion projects in the 2019 bond (Tecumseh and Rock Creek) were intended to coordinate traffic flow; staff confirmed those further bond projects remain planned.

Staff said design choices aim to meet the bond’s intent while avoiding unnecessary right‑of‑way acquisition or utility relocation costs; if development occurs along the corridors, developers would be required to add turn or acceleration/deceleration lanes at their frontage, effectively allowing incremental widening.

The committee did not take formal votes on design changes but instructed staff to continue design and grant work and return with more detailed engineering and funding options as grant results and right‑of‑way analysis progress.