Description
I left you a voice mail yesterday seeking advice about how to address a dangerous situation on Henry Street. There are now two families with small children — by this fall it will be three families — living beside or right across the street from the Henry Street Market. During busy times, customers entirely ignore the "No parking this side of street" sign on the north side of the street. That narrows the street to less than two lanes. With cars parked on both sides — and the speed with which cars travel, even on our one block street — it's difficult to see pedestrians crossing the street, or bicyclists. In addition, these illegal parkers use our driveways to turn around, increasing the danger.
Let me assure you we have made concerted, close to harassing, efforts to get Parking Enforcement to deal with the situation. That is NOT the solution. Of course they can't be here all the time, even during busy hours.
We think a structural solution is required, including at least one bump out on the north side of the street near the market and some speed bumps.
We would like to know how we go about persuading your department to address this. We fear you don't care about our safety. If the safety of our kids was a major concern, Public Works would NOT have moved the parking on North Willard from the west side of the street to the east. Doing so RETURNED the unsafe situation people on the street persuaded Public Works to alleviate more than a decade ago. With cars parked on the east side, There are terrible sight lines if you are turning onto Willard from Henry Street. You can't see past the oncoming cars to turn safely. I've almost been hit myself this year.
As I said, Public Works recognized this problem more than a decade ago, and moved the parking from the east to the west side of the street. It was changed back (to create the bike lane) a year or more ago without any notice I'm aware of, or an opportunity for Henry Street people to point out the problem. Why can't the bike lane be on the east side of the street?
Anyway, I digress. Our immediate concern is to get help before a child or an adult pedestrian gets hit by a car in front of the market.
14 Comments
Acknowledged DPW Pine Customer Service (Verified Official)
jkc (Registered User)
BTV123 (Registered User)
jkc (Registered User)
Hopefully, the constituents that you speak up for, everyday families, young children and pedestrians, will get as much consideration as the very few hard-core cyclists that DPW bends over backwards for. DPW has partly become an extension of local motion, an organization that does good work, but many believe the bike lane overreach has made the city less safe for the majority of BTV citizens.
With the way the weather is here and the street conditions, it is not a matter of build it and behaviors will change. That will not happen. But the zealots do not want to hear that. They think that they know better and want to bend others to their will. The issue here as a prime example.
That Guy (Registered User)
jkc (Registered User)
Yes. If you read the original post you will see the problem. DPW inflicting it's agenda on the city without public participation or institutional memory. There are many similar issues that have been forced on streets at tax-payer expense for the benefit of a handful of bike activists. Making the city safer for bicyclists should be a goal, but the way that some of it has been implemented has made things less safe for the vast majority.
The OP wrote:
"As I said, Public Works recognized this problem more than a decade ago, and moved the parking from the east to the west side of the street. It was changed back (to create the bike lane) a year or more ago without any notice I'm aware of, or an opportunity for Henry Street people to point out the problem. Why can't the bike lane be on the east side of the street?"
Toiletmanners (Registered User)
So the problem is that sight lines on Willard are causing drivers to illegally park midway down Henry Street? Okay.
The bike lane was on the east side of Willard, but mirrored to the other side to complement Union Street bike lane, which also goes North. Doing this gives a southbound bike lane on the east side of the city. Were the sight lines bad on other streets connecting to Willard in the old configuration? Probably. Also, there was a bunch of public participation on this issue. I know, because I went to the public meetings in support of the flip.
BTV123 (Registered User)
DPW Engineering MS (Verified Official)
This revision comes as a result of feedback from the neighbors, councilors, and businesses on Henry St. This change will address the parking area directly in front of Henry St Deli so that it better aligns with delivery times and customer needs. This will allow delivery trucks to better utilize the loading zone and reduce illegal parking. To alleviate early morning noise associated with deliveries, the Henry St Deli Owner has agreed to stop deliveries before 6AM.
DPW would like to ask for your feedback regarding the possibility of this parking revision.
BTV123 (Registered User)
ABO (Registered User)
BTV123 (Registered User)
ABO (Registered User)
Burlington, VT (Verified Official)