Sound off about Riverfront Drive Corridor improvement options

Make at least 1 of the intersections a No-Left Turn intersection so that trucks will have adequate southbound turn clearance at all times.

3 Lane with Parking on Both Sides- SouthboundTruck Accommodation

As a business owner on Riverfront, I personally would love to see the 3 lane with angled parking on both sides. Parking is crucial.

3 lanes are proven to be safer

Officially known as a "Roadway diet", going from 4 lanes of travel to two with a center two way left turn lane has been proven over and over to be a safer option for roadways. It doesn't significantly reduce traffic capacity, although trucks making a right onto Riverfront will have to swing wider as shown in the video.

The 3 lane option is the best choice.

Reducing Riverfront Drive in Old Town from 4 lanes to 3 with a center turn lane is the best option. The small 30 second increase in travel time down Riverfront is reasonable given the benefits that will come from the project (safer, calmer traffic and a more pedestrian friendly and business friendly streetscape). To deal with the issue of large trucks turning onto Riverfront encroaching in the left turn lane at intersections, I suggest moving the Riverfront Drive turn lane stop lines back from the intersection. I attached a quick edit of a screenshot from the video to give an idea of what this would look like. Occasionally, cars will probably drive past the stop line, but I think this will improve turning for trucks and reduce their wait times. I know that no bike lanes are planned for Riverfront, but I think the city should pay careful attention to the bike and pedestrian connections from the Minnesota River Trail/Riverfront Park to Broad Street. Bike lanes and sidewalks for the full extent of Rock Street from Riverfront Park all the way to Broad (plus safer, well-marked crosswalks at the Rock St. and 2nd St. intersection) would really enhance the bike and pedestrian network and make the Old Town businesses more inviting to trail users and people in the residential section of Old Town. I really look forward to these improvements. I walk and bike frequently in the Downtown and Old Town areas, and I would really welcome a safer way to cross Riverfront in Old Town.

Would you rather have a downtown that is quick to drive though, or one worth arriving at?

Although some people will complain about the three lane option, but it is a strong statement for the future of the downtown area! The city planners know what they are doing and can see a future for downtown that is healthier and more prosperous than the car-dominated picture we have now. Although the complaints will end quickly after the reconstruction, the benefits to local businesses, residents, and visitors will be around for many years to come. Let's take a step forward and make the city better with the three lane option for downtown!