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Consultant urges lower‑impact 3rd Street alternative and pedestrian crossings in Meridian 'Destination Downtown' review
Summary
A consultant presentation at the Dec. 2 Meridian council meeting recommended pursuing a lower‑impact alignment for the long‑discussed 3rd Street corridor, prioritizing pedestrian hybrid beacons, traffic circles, and a 4th Street connection to reduce pressure on the main Meridian couplet. A white paper with cost and property‑impact details is forthcoming.
A city consultant presented a renewed, concept‑level plan for downtown street connectivity on Dec. 2, urging the council to consider a lower‑impact alternative to the long‑debated 3rd Street extension while advancing targeted pedestrian and bike improvements across downtown. The presentation framed the work as part of the Destination Downtown effort and emphasized safety, mobility and economic development as key goals.
Chris (project presenter) told the council that a more connected street system — closer to a grid — spreads out traffic, reduces pressure to widen arterials and typically improves safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. “When a street system is as close to a grid as we can get it, it’s hyper efficient,” he said, and he cited research by Wes Marshall (University of Colorado) and data from a private connectivity product to illustrate trade‑offs.
The staff recommendation focuses on several linked moves rather than a single, expensive rebuild: completing a…
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