NORTH AVENUE Corridor .05408 <==O===O==> 05401.

VISION: The newly designed North Avenue is an “all modes” transportation corridor that runs the entire length of Burlington's North End. As the North End’s “main street,” North Avenue meets the transportation needs for all within and outside the neighborhood through the freedom of choice to move through and within the corridor safely by foot, bicycle, public transit or private vehicle, thereby providing multi-modal access to homes, businesses, schools and other destinations.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Don't whine and cluck, ORGANIZE! Run for City Council.

Bring biking councilors to City Hall, send message that we will bring bike culture to city streets and out The Avenue!

http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/streetspac-endorse-new-york-council-vote-bike-lanes-transit

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Putting in bike lanes or reducing parking can be a politically dangerous move, especially in New York. But for the past year and a half, political action committee StreetsPAC has been fighting for pro-pedestrian, pro-biking and pro-transit candidates in NYC and Albany — and gaining ground.

In the 2013 city elections, 13 of StreetsPAC’s 18 endorsed candidates won in competitive primary elections (including Mayor Bill de Blasio). In state primaries last month, three out of five StreetsPAC-backed candidates won.

Friday, October 10, 2014

North Ave Safe Bike Lanes and Crossings

LEA TERHUNE, WARD 4, BURLINGTON

To get involved in ongoing effort to create safe multi-modal options on North Avenue, please join Bikable Burlington now. https://www.facebook.com/groups/519506491526901

Thursday, October 9, 2014

90 minutes testimony from residents, 90% opposed to amendments

Attend party caucuses.
Run for office.
Challenge councilors who don't represent you.

COUNCILORS FROM NORTH END WHO THE AMENDMENTS TO UNDERMINE COMPEKLTE STREETS RECOMMENDATIONS?

Kurt Wright (Ward 4)

Dave Hartnett (Ward 4)

Tom Ayres (Ward 7)

Members of Corridor Advisory Committee who presented a complete streets set of recommendations to City Council are Jason L'Ecuyer (Ward 7), Barry Trutor (Ward 7), RJ LaLumiere (Ward 4), Jim Holway (Ward 4). Jason is vying for Dem nomination at Dem Caucus Jan 11, challenging Tom Ayres.

Join: facebook.com/groups/5195064…

Liam Griffin @liamgriffin #btvcc Resolution on North Ave passes with 4 amendments, 14/0. Progress made, with some minor setbacks.

Liam Griffin @liamgriffin #BTVCC Tonight's vote on North Ave summed up pretty well by @bfp_news burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/loc…

Liam Griffin @liamgriffin Anybody following the #btvcc meeting & North Ave proposed changes who wants to get more involved, please join facebook.com/groups/5195064…

Rich Nadworny @rnadworny #BTVCC sets precedent: #BTV voters will be allowed to veto city projects after 6 months, see South End Connector, Moran.

April Burbank @aprilburbank Full house for #BTV City Council. On the agenda: North Avenue bike lanes. #btvcc #vt pic.twitter.com/wJlqhFnjWt

Monday, October 6, 2014

The FACTS about sabotage of Advisory Committee's Complete Street recommendations

TomorrowTo (Monday, Oct. 6) the City Council will be voting on the resolution to adopt the North Ave. recommendations, as described below. The actual resolution is linked here:

http://www.boarddocs.com/vt/burlingtonvt/Board.nsf/files/9PHNDH5F3CA5/$file/DPW%20-%20North%20Avenue%20Corridor%20Plan%3B%20Create%20North%20Avenue%20Task%20Force.docx

There have been two amendments proposed by Councilors Kurt Wright and Tom Ayres that should be specifically addressed in public comments [and voted down].

The amendment proposed by Councilor Ayres, linked here:
http://www.boarddocs.com/vt/burlingtonvt/Board.nsf/files/9PJRQ46E9DFB/$file/Amendment%20per%20Councilor%20Ayres%20North%20Avenue%20Corridor.docx

It basically switches the language from removing all parking to "no parking at least on one side of North Avenue", removes the protected bike lane pilot with flex posts between Institute Road and VT 127, and removes the buffered bike lane between Shore Road and Plattsburg Avenue. So we would still have parking on one side of the road, and the bike lanes in these two sections would be unprotected/unbuffered on both sides and in the door zone on one side. This seriously weakens the short-term benefits of the project. We especially want to preserve the pilot of the protected bike lane between Institute Road and VT 127 (although honestly I think it makes more sense between Washington St. and Institute Rd.). This proposed amendment should be rejected entirely by the City Council.

I am emailing you as a Burlington supporter of Local Motion who wants to see our city become a truly great place for people-powered transportation. Next week -- on Monday, October 6 -- we have the opportunity to take a huge step forward for walking and biking in Burlington, and we need your help.

Over the last year or so, Local Motion has been intensively involved in a project to chart a new future for North Avenue, Burlington's longest street and the backbone of the New North End. With strong leadership from New North End residents, a consensus has emerged around a series of commonsense changes that will make North Avenue safe and accessible for everyone, whether you are walking, biking, taking the bus, or driving.

New Date for City Council Hearing/Action on North Avenue Corridor Plan: Monday, October 6

Members of the North Avenue Corridor Study Advisory Committee and public meeting attendees were notified on Sept. 18 that the City Council Hearing and Action on the draft corridor plan (scheduled for Sept 22) was RESCHEDULED for Monday, October 6. Contois Auditorium. Public Forum, 7pm.

At the council transportation committee (TEUC), 19 people advocated for the plan. One person spoke against it, and asked for a delay. We're told the delay was because the Mayor, TEUC, and the City Attorney could not get a resolution written in time for the Sept 22 meeting.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Full City Council Considers Approving North Avenue Corridor Plan Sept. 22 after Council Committee Approval Sept 10

The North Avenue Corridor Plan draft approved by the study Advisory Committee advanced with one minor change to the City Council following a unanimous vote by the Council’s Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee (TEUC) September 10.

The Burlington City Council will consider adoption of the plan at their Monday, September 22^nd meeting.

The TEUC, chaired by Max Tracy, Ward 2, vote took place after 19 residents spoke in favor of the Advisory Plan and one resident questioned the need to move the plan which took 15 months to prepare so quickly to adoption. About 40 residents attended the meeting. The hearing and vote was held at the Police Department meeting room and is available on CCTV.

Some amendments were considered by the Committee but eventually withdrawn. The two-and-a-half hour generally quiet meeting and thoughtfully presented comments limited to two minutes each was broken following the Council approval vote by a burst of applause. The one change to the draft plan was to retain a 30 mph speed limit between VT 127 and the Shore Rd./Heineberg Rd. intersection.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Join Bike Train 2--7:45 a.m. TEUC Day (Wed Sept 10) starting at Merola's (Plattsburgh Ave/North Ave)

Posted on FPF Sept 3: FYI

Ride to Support Bike Infrastructure Sept. 10

CHRISTINE HILL, CHRISTINE.TYLER@GMAIL.COM, RIVERSIDE AVE.

Event: Sep 10, 2014

Burlington Bike Train

There has been a lot of recent talk of change in the New North End of Burlington, primarily via the recently completed North Ave Corridor Study. The recommended changes will be presented to the TUEC Committee on the evening of this ride. We're riding to show support for real change to the corridor, which is currently very bike unfriendly for most of its length.

What is a Bike Train? A Bike Train is a group ride that obeys traffic laws and practices courtesy by placing space between riders (as opposed to riding en masse) such that other road users may operate around bicyclists as they would normally. The long line of bicyclists shows that BIKES RIDE HERE and that better infrastructure is needed for all road users to operate safely and efficiently.

We'll ride from Merola's at the intersection of Plattsburg and North Ave. all the way down to North St. where the current study ends. The ride will double back along Lakeview to end up at Scout & Company.

Usually, the Mayor is at The Bagel on North Ave on Wednesday mornings, so we might do a quick stop there as well.

Please spread the word, invite your friends to the ride (and to join the group). We're really hoping for a great turnout for this ride, since a strong show of support for much needed bike infrastructure on North Ave will help push City Council to support the changes we all want!

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/734270519942986/737942809575757/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity

Sunday, August 31, 2014

City Council Committee Final Hearing/Action Wednesday, September 10, 6 p.m. Police Department Meeting Room

The final committee decisions on a draft North Avenue Corridor Plan occur at the Transportation, Energy and Utilities (TEUC) Committee meeting Wednesday September 10 starting at 6 p.m. at the Police Department public meeting room in the building at the top of Battery Park.

The TEUC meeting it open to all and everyone who attends will be allotted time to speak on the draft plan, Councilor Max Tracy, chair, has assured. The other two TEUC committee members are Ward 7 Councilor Tom Ayres who also represented the City Council on the study Advisory Committee and Ward 5 Councilor Chip Mason. The last step in the review process is expected at a late September City Council meeting.

The major Advisory Committee short term (within three years) recommendations: (1) a four-lane to three-lane remarking of North Avenue between Shore Rd./Heineberg Rd. and VT 127; (2) establishing bike lanes on the roadway from Plattsburgh Avenue to Washington Street with cycle track (protected bike lanes which in this case will be flexible posts) between VT 127 and Institute Rd (BHS).

The long term vision includes the goal of North Avenue as a "world class" street with the highest level of safety for those who walk, bicycle, and travel by car or transit. Achieving that goal includes cycle track from end to end of the 2.8 mile corridor (Plattsburgh Ave. to North St.) and three roundabouts replacing traffic signals at VT 127, Burlington High School (Institute Rd.) and Plattsburgh Ave). The improvements for North Avenue represent the first transportation investments impacting on North Avenue since the completion of the Bikepath in 1986 and the Beltline in the 1970s.

Replacing Signals with Roundabouts--Routine Now

The City of Cologne replaced 200 traffic signals with roundabouts and another 90 signals scheduled for the scrap heap there, a trend throughout Germany. Surveys show anywhere from 40 to 100 percent of signals can go the way of the dodo bird. And the German bike federation applauds the trend.

http://www.thelocal.de/20110311/33651 Article somewhat dated but still topical.

Burlington has 75 signalized intersection, Vermont about 400.

The Brattleboro Keene-Turn Roundabout was the first Vermont traffic signal to roundabout conversion in 1999 and injuries dropped 95 percent (five years before, 55, five years after conversion 1). Montpelier's second roundabout at US 2/302 also replaced a traffic signal. Manchester Center plans include converting its only two remaining signals to roundabouts (Depot Street). Brattleboro's Putney Road corridor road re-development plan supported by the Town and Vermont Agency of Transportation converts the three remaining signals from Keeene Turn Roundabout south on US 5 to roundabouts as well as installing both walk and bike mode quality facilities.

The three signals to roundabouts conversion on North Avenue in the draft plan is just a continuation of the movement to improve intersections with the roundabout reducing delay for all users, saving gasoline and associated pollution (including greenhouse gas emissions), improving scenic quality, and reducing injury and fatality rates for all modes up to 90%.

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North Avenue Task Force and Bike/Walk Planning Meetings

Second Tuesday of month, Miller Center: Public encouraged to attend to learn about the issues, options, and research provided to the Corridor task force and the Bike/Walk Plan Advisory Committee. People are welcome to speak at these meetings, and can observe all business of the group.

Task Force representatives will be available at North End NPA meetings to report on the work of the task force and talk things over with residents. NPAs have tight agendas, however, time is limited, and taking your comments to meetings of the decision making body, where the whole agenda is focused on the North Avenue Corridor Plan, or the Bike/Walk Plan, is more fruitful.

When public members do not take the time to become familiar with the materials and information available to the public, the same myths and false assumptions are repeated over and over, a waste of everyone's time. Examples: We don't need a bike lane because people can ride their bikes on the sidewalk. And, riding a bike on the sidewalk is safer than in a bike lane. Over and over, the same old stories. It gets boring and tiresome. Just wish people would attend the public meetings and learn something.

http://wards4and7npa.blogspot.com/

North Avenue is very broken and literally divides our neighborhoods.

Brilliant opinion piece by Liam Griffin:

This 0.8 mile four-lane section [on North Avenue] has become the focus of a small group of people who seem dead set on maintaining an antiquated road design that results in dangerous conditions for all who live, walk, bike or drive along North Avenue. Cars are frequently rear ended while trying to make left turns, or sideswiped by cars changing lanes in an attempt to shave seconds off their commute. Pedestrians have to run across four lanes of traffic that often exceeds 40 mph, even though the posted speed limit is only 30 mph. I'm tired of hearing, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," since North Avenue is very broken and literally dividing our neighborhood.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/opinion/my-turn/2015/03/05/opinion-north-avenue-broken-needs-fix/24390697/

MARCH 31 - EMBRACE THE ROUNDABOUT

Attention community leaders, transportation advisory panel members and planners, health and senior policy advocates for livable neighborhoods, engineers and technicians, walkable and bikable streets supporters, safe streets proponents...

SAVE THE DATE—TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015

“EMBRACE THE ROUNDABOUT” A One-Day Workshop

Presented by Mark T. Johnson, PE MTJ Roundabout Engineering, Madison, Wisconsin

“Function Junction” Manchester Center (VT), Main and Depot Streets (VT 7A/30) middle of three roundabouts, one of over 60 roundabout corridors in the U.S. Roundabout sits on top of bridge over the Battenkill River, mini-roundabout in front of First Baptist Church, top center.

Workshop on the all modes “intersection safety belt” by American pioneer roundabout designer and researcher Mark T. Johnson, PE. He works regularly with local government and communities through the gritty public meetings and hearings it takes to bring new technology, change that increases to safety and service on our streets and highways. http://www.mtjengineering.com/

Location: Memorial Lounge, Waterman Building, University of Vermont, Burlington.

Time: 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration details available shortly, discounts for seniors and students.

Sponsored by Burlington’s Neighborhood Planning Assembly 2/3 and 4/7.

Co-sponsor: The Center on Aging at the University of Vermont

For information contact: Tony Redington, NPA 2/3 Steering Committee, TonyRVT99@gmail.com

The Roundabout:

~Fights sprawl;

~Rescues seniors from their high intersection fatality rates;

~Constitutes main path to walkable/bikable neighborhoods/downtowns;

~Slashes walk/bike/car occupant serious injuries about 90%;

~Drops about a third gas use/pollutants/global warming gas;

~Boasts highest capacity for all modes;

~Easily fits over 90% of all intersections;

~Facilitates healthy walk/bike lifestyles and safe school routings;

~Brings economic vitality and growth;

~TWINNED with cycle track for safe, comfortable cycling for all.

Fast Lanes and Complete Streets

The morphing of the Southern Connector to a Champlain Parkway, now replaced by a modified truck route and a complete Pine Street, marks a shift from the vision that persisted from the 1960s through the 1990s -- of whisking motorists as quickly as possible into downtown.

Regrettably old style transportation thinking persists among a few who live out the Avenue in Burlington's North End. While residents in the South End are calling for compete streets, with separated bike lanes, round intersections, and a trolley into center city and waterfront, passing along Pine Street from 289, there's a petition circulating in the North End to maintain 4 car lanes and no change.

One wonders why the city bothered to invest in a North Avenue Corridor Study? Act 250 traffic criteria and city limits to growth are require standards of intersection levels of service, safety, and capacity of existing roads in the area. Developers have to do traffic studies, and their permit application can be challenged or denied if the existing roads are inadequate to handle the development induced traffic. If the roadway is deficient, there must be plans to remediate the problems if development is to be permitted.

Oct 6, 7pm, City Council deliberates North Avenue Corridor Recommendations

The rubber hits the road at City Council, Monday Oct 6, 7pm, City Hall. Public Forum begins at 7:30.

Council will deliberate recommendations from the North Avenue Corridor Study Advisory Committee, a group that met for 15+ months studying transportation options for the Avenue. The work of the advisory committee is being undermined by amendments from North End councilors who claim to represent people who don't go to meetings (and thus are uninformed regarding research reviewed by the advisory committee and did not participate in -- and benefit from -- discussion of options for corridor upgrade). An unsubstantiated claim that they represent opposition from thousands is utterly ridiculous.

It's being dismissed as grandstanding, but with our quality of life at stake we have to take it seriously. They argue that the Avenue is for cars, and adding 33 seconds to a trip downtown is too high a price to pay for safe walking and biking amenities. Residents, local businesses, AARP, and the Health Dept disagree.

Field Trip to Riverside Path

Meet at Bagel Saturday morning (July 12) at 9AM and carpool to Riverside Ave to observe the separated shared bike/ped path. Opportunity to talk about the pros and cons, compare and contrast to other options.

We want the best practices option for North Ave. We have the space and right of way we need to upgrade to"livable streets" with cycle track/roundabouts = walkable/bikable!. The future of our community and wise use of transportation funds depends on getting it right the first time!

Philip Crosby, "It is cheaper to do things right the first time. ... Do things right in the first place, and you won't have to pay to fix them or do them over."

Field Trip to Montpelier Roundabout

Field trip to Montpelier: http://youtu.be/7GQ2FM6VnGo Met with Fire Chief Bob Gowans and former City Councilor Angela McDonald who grew up on Village Green. They told us the roundabouts have been a huge success, from a safety standpoint as well as satisfaction of residents.

A study is currently evaluating transportation conditions along North Avenue between North Street and Plattsburg Avenue from a “Complete Streets” perspective. The study is specifically considering how the street operates for the different user groups who can be expected to use the corridor (pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, deliveries, transit, and emergency responders).

The study will make recommendations for remaking the corridor to accommodate all users by identifying a set of short and longer-term improvements.

Attention Cyclists: http://www.upworthy.com/a-dutch-guy-is-disgusted-by-america-but-he-has-a-hell-of-a-point?c=reccon1

A Task Force of residents is tracking progress, led by representatives to the study's Advisory Committee: Jim Holway and Barry Trutor. Their force includes Jason L'Ecuyer, Sam Barrett, Dave Lustgarten, Kelli Brooks, Keith Tarr-Whalen, Ken Peterson, Tom Treat, and Lea Terhune. Anyone with interest and/or expertise in transportation issues are welcome and encouraged to help .

North Avenue Corridor NPA Task Force

North Avenue Corridor Task Force Imagineers

Field trip to Montpelier: http://youtu.be/7GQ2FM6VnGo Met with Fire Chief Bob Gowans and former City Councilor Angela Macdonald who grew up on Village Green. They told us the roundabouts have been a huge success, from a safety standpoint as well as satisfaction of residents.

A study is currently evaluating transportation conditions along North Avenue between North Street and Plattsburgh Avenue from a “Complete Streets” perspective. The study is specifically considering how the street operates for the different user groups who can be expected to use the corridor (pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, deliveries, transit, and emergency responders).