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Council weighs bike lanes, shared-use paths and parking tradeoffs for 300 North
Summary
Staff presented design alternatives for 300 North to implement the Bicycle Master Plan, weighing on-street bike lanes, shared-use paths, parking preservation, and costs; Council favored preserving parking where feasible and asked staff to refine corridor options and costs.
Public Works Director Sam Kelly said on July 7 that the Bicycle Master Plan identifies 300 North as an important east-west commuter corridor connecting neighborhoods to the Frontrunner station, but right-of-way and mature trees constrain what facilities can fit.
Kelly and Transportation staff presented alternatives including dedicated on-street bike lanes (which would in many places require removing parking), buffered lanes, a center-turn lane with narrowed bicycle lanes, or constructing a shared-use path by removing park strips and widening sidewalks within the existing right-of-way. "Decisions regarding bike lanes, shared-use paths, sidewalks, park strips, and street trees are closely interconnected and would overlap with the next agenda item," Kelly said, asking Council for policy direction to guide the Capital Improvement Plan.
Council members and staff discussed route alternatives (100 North, 200 North, Center Street, 300 East), user types (commuter versus family/pedestrian trips), and the feasibility of preserving on-street parking. Mr. Hunter presented preliminary cost comparisons indicating restriping for bike lanes could cost approximately $15 per linear foot while constructing a shared-use path could cost roughly $520 per linear foot; the Council noted the substantial cost difference and directed staff to further evaluate corridor-specific needs, funding opportunities, and potential grant sources including state and regional programs.
