CORRESPONDENCE - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Santa Ana Active Streets Contact: info@saascoaIition.org I www.saascoalition.org 1 714-679-3970 Complete Streets in Santa Ana: SANTA ANA ACTIVE While the proposed sidewalk enhancement and bike lane is a much needed asset to create a comprehensive active transportation network in the City, the plan falls short from fulfilling Complete Streets concepts in our city. Complete Streets are designed to meet the needs and ensure the safety of all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and motorists. SAAS proposes that the City includes a street design option that keeps Warner Avenue at four lanes, that keeps homes intact, and introduces bicycle infrastructure options such as, but not limited to, a protected bicycle lane, Class II bicycle lane, and a bicycle boulevard. The next section of this letter provides design alternatives. Alternative Street Design Options In order to avoid widening Warner but still make the necessary improvements to create a Complete Street, a Bike/Bus lane can be created exclusively serving public transit users and bicyclists during most of the day when traffic flow is slow. During traffic peak hours the Bike/Bus lane could be opened to motorists, Another way to create a Complete Street and avoid six -lanes would be the implementation of bike sharrows. Widening Warner raises concerns about vehicle speed and pedestrian/bicyclist safety. There are studies indicating the success of road diets along four lane streets, which have shown a reduction of traffic crashes by 29%. Taking away a lane from four lane streets provides space to include bike lanes and widen sidewalks if necessary. SAAS urges that Santa Ana consider road diets for future infrastructure projects aiming to create safe and accessible streets. If the creation of a six lane street were to happen despite safety concerns and existence of alternative options, SAAS supports the installation of a protected bike lane as part of the design to ensure the greatest possible level of safety for bicyclists. As an additional safety measure, a parking lane on the outside could serve as a barrier protecting bicyclists as well as pedestrians. Curb extensions should be implemented in addition to widened sidewalks that meet ADA compliance and ensure pedestrian accessibility. A bus rapid transit (BRT) with its dedicated right of way to avoid traffic is a system that the city should take into consideration. Regardless of the outcome of this letter and proposal, SAAS will continue to stay engaged in the design process of the Warner Avenue project and future infrastructure improvements throughout Santa Ana. This letter includes attached documents of our proposed street designs. "Cultivating diverse community participation in creating a safe and accessible environment for active transportation in Santa Ana."