Farnam Street changes

[Coyote]

Possible changes coming to Farnam Street, one-way system



Possible changes coming to Farnam Street, one-way system

[Coyote]

Neighbors excited as city says two-way traffic on Farnam is feasible



'We've been fighting for this': Neighbors excited as city says two-way traffic on Farnam is feasible

[Coyote]

Pedestrians, neighbors share concerns over stretch of Farnam Street



It’s been a ritual that drivers along Farnam St. between Saddle Creek Rd. and Happy Hollow Rd. have followed for over sixty years. The two-lane road becomes a one-way during certain parts of the day.

[S.O.Boy]

They should remove the old bank at 42nd st, so you can go down Farnam without being forced over to Harney.

[Louie]

They should remove the old bank at 42nd st, so you can go down Farnam without being forced over to Harney.

Is that building empty?

[S.O.Boy]

They should remove the old bank at 42nd st, so you can go down Farnam without being forced over to Harney.

Is that building empty?

I think its been empty for a decade. There is barricades blocking all driving ramps.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2578563 ... 8192?hl=en

[skinzfan23]

This would be a spot where a roundabout might work well, if the building was removed.

[iamjacobm]

Years old now, but there was a brief proposal for a large hotel right in this area I think the ideas was to build it over the roads and keep them open...That died, but I recall seeing another concept that showed the section jogging to Harney over the parking lot just a bit east of the existing building.

I bet that Med Center master plan that got posted a while back shows something different here.

[S.O.Boy]

This would be a spot where a roundabout might work well, if the building was removed.

42nd might be too busy for it, though I can see the Med center liking it.

[Busguy2010]

I like that idea quite a lot. 42nd at Farnam can't be much busier than whatever our busiest roundabout (location unknown, probably 42nd & Q, or Saddle Creek & Happy Hollow (AKA "the peanut")) is. I think a roundabout would work quite well here. Three corners are parking lots, and the fourth corner is a decrepit, useless old bank. Make Farnam and Harney both one travel lane each way. I think its a great idea.

[S.O.Boy]

I like that idea quite a lot. 42nd at Farnam can't be much busier than whatever our busiest roundabout (location unknown, probably 42nd & Q, or Saddle Creek & Happy Hollow (AKA "the peanut")) is. I think a roundabout would work quite well here. Three corners are parking lots, and the fourth corner is a decrepit, useless old bank. Make Farnam and Harney both one travel lane each way. I think its a great idea.

Both streets are in the top 16 according to http://www.gomapper.com/travel/busiest- ... omaha.html

[Busguy2010]

You can't really go off that though. Its easy to look at the streets and extrapolate that that data may not be all that. Farman is going on yet another road diet, and there was even an idea of removing 42nd from Dewey to Emile, which I don't like the thought of. I'd prefer a roundabout here. than removal. If they want to slow things down here, I think a roundabout would be a great compromise.

[almighty_tuna]

I think much of this is moot until the streetcar's layout is finalized. This is the area where it would turn around and return back downtown.

[Busguy2010]

It was where it was going to turn around. There was going to be a switch and a station on the west side of 42nd & Farnam, but the terminal has been extended west more to about the Steel castings site west of Saddle Creek.

[Coyote]

Neighbors respond to plan making Farnam Street two-way, all day

[Athomsfere]

Neighbors respond to plan making Farnam Street two-way, all day

I lived in the area, and went the wrong way a few times. Mostly the few times I actually hit those stretches at the wrong time of the day.

I also feel we can "fix Farnam" without the additional changes. Just make the intersections "no left turn". Problem solved.

[Dundeemaha]

Just incredible to say that if the intersections aren't changed they won't change the street to 2 way all day.

They presented data that the road is far more deadly and dangerous with this configuration than the average 2 lane street in Omaha. Then based on a study that assumes no reduction in cars during rush hour, 2 intersections would fail to move sufficient cars through.

Throw up some damn temporary road signs, turn off the arrows and Xs, cover the signs and see what happens to crashes and traffic for 2 months

[Athomsfere]

Just incredible to say that if the intersections aren't changed they won't change the street to 2 way all day.

They presented data that the road is far more deadly and dangerous with this configuration than the average 2 lane street in Omaha. Then based on a study that assumes no reduction in cars during rush hour, 2 intersections would fail to move sufficient cars through.

Throw up some damn temporary road signs, turn off the arrows and Xs, cover the signs and see what happens to crashes and traffic for 2 months

Yeah, I tend to distrust traffic engineers. Not because of anything to do with them, but because their goals IMO are often counter to actual good city designs.

Farnam here, IMO should not be engineered for maximum throughput. Maybe we should be looking up and down stream to make Farnam less of an arterial road instead. Maybe LRT on Center, or re-doing the Saddle Creek interchange... Basically, get some of the cars off the Dodge corridor and not use Farnam as an overflow arterial road.

[mistergutierrez]

Yeah, I tend to distrust traffic engineers. Not because of anything to do with them, but because their goals IMO are often counter to actual good city designs.

Farnam here, IMO should not be engineered for maximum throughput. Maybe we should be looking up and down stream to make Farnam less of an arterial road instead. Maybe LRT on Center, or re-doing the Saddle Creek interchange... Basically, get some of the cars off the Dodge corridor and not use Farnam as an overflow arterial road.

Totally agree.

[ita]

Roundabouts planned to allow for all-day two-way traffic on Farnam Street

Kelsey Stewart
A new study has found that Farnam Street between Dodge Street and Saddle Creek Road can be safely converted to permanently accommodate two-way traffic if changes are made at major intersections.

The study, conducted by the consulting firm Felsburg Holt & Ullevig, recommends converting the intersections of 50th and Farnam Streets and 52nd and Farnam Streets to roundabouts. Both intersections now have traffic signals.

The consultants found that more than half of the crashes at those intersections were caused by drivers running red lights, something that could be mitigated by the roundabouts.

Roundabouts also would provide a safer pedestrian crossing than a traffic signal, the consultants said.

A report on the study was released Tuesday by the Mayor's Office. A spokeswoman for Mayor Jean Stothert said the Omaha City Council would have to approve the project's design contract.

[Coyote]

Omaha releases plan to convert Farnam Street to permanent two-way traffic

A major street in Omaha can be converted to permanent two-way traffic, according to an engineering and traffic analysis. The study found that safety improvements would be needed at major intersections for the conversion of Farnam Street, which is between Dodge Street and Saddle Creek Road. The report, which was done by Felsburg Holt & Ullevig, recommended removing traffic signals and building roundabouts at two intersections on Farnam Street.

"This is simply about safety, for all users of the road and the surrounding neighborhoods," Todd Pfitzer, city engineer, said in a statement. "The data shows the problem and how to correct it. Roundabouts slow down traffic, reduce crashes and eliminate red light running." The analysis cites a traffic study that showed the rate of crashes at four intersections is double the crash rate in the city.

[Louie]

This is getting mostly negative pub in the neighborhood facebook groups. I get it, especially if you’re on those corners that will lose land. But what can ya do.

[Dundeemaha]

This is getting mostly negative pub in the neighborhood facebook groups. I get it, especially if you’re on those corners that will lose land. But what can ya do.

I'll take roundabouts over continuing with the dangerous and negligent status quo design.

The study referenced found that the current system is dramatically more dangerous than a simple two way street. In estimating traffic volumes it found that if traffic volumes during West bound rush hour stayed the same traffic would back up more than the city wants on Farnam. Kind of a wild assumption to make.

The success or failure of the roundabouts probably comes down to the geometry used which will dictate the speed cars navigate through.

[Coyote]

Area of Farnam Street will convert to 2-way traffic

[Coyote]

Farnam fight: Neighbors, city dispute over how to make Omaha street ‘two-way all-day’
Dundee-area residents holding meeting Monday night to discuss planned improvements that include round-abouts

The fight over turning Farnam Street “Two-way all-day” continues with a community meeting planned for Monday night. Neighbors tell 6 News they plan to express concerns over adding roundabouts to the street with Omaha city councilmembers. Turning Farnam Street between 46th and Dodge streets into a one-way road is something many neighbors have waited years for, and now it’s finally happening. But many neighbors aren’t happy with how it’s happening. Currently, for four hours every day, Farnam Street becomes a one-way road, causing a host of problems according to many neighbors.

[BRoss]

While I'm in favor of the roundabouts, I don't understand why the mayor is saying either that or nothing. They don't even plan to put them in until 2024. Why not just convert the street now and see if 50th and 52nd really need any changes. It would only be a year until any issues would be resolved but it would fix the dangerous wrong way driver situation.

[almighty_tuna]

Maybe it's an election year thing; she can be all, "see, I'm fixing Farnam, re-elect me!"

[Busguy2010]

While I'm in favor of the roundabouts, I don't understand why the mayor is saying either that or nothing. They don't even plan to put them in until 2024. Why not just convert the street now and see if 50th and 52nd really need any changes. It would only be a year until any issues would be resolved but it would fix the dangerous wrong way driver situation.

Yeah, I agree. The roundabouts don't have to be put in to make it two way all day. I think all the residents on Farnam want it two way all day. If the 8 or so residents that don't want the roundabouts encroaching on their property, then so be it. I don't blame them either. Make it two way without the roundabouts. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

[Louie]

Yes, this whole situation has gone off the rails. All it takes a few changes to the light sequencing. The only thing missing is left turn lanes, but we can easily find out if that's necessary by trialing it first.

[Athomsfere]

I said it before, and I'm sticking to it: A traffic engineer said it must be done to keep the ADTs or current level of service and move to all day two way.

What they should be doing is not that, IMO. Work on quality of service, busses, bike lanes etc. Whatever it takes to move to 2 way all day, even if that means radical ideas to get the ADTs down somehow.

[Busguy2010]

Work on quality of service, busses, bike lanes etc. Whatever it takes to move to 2 way all day, even if that means radical ideas to get the ADTs down somehow.

I think it would be kinda nice to have a new bus route on Farnam. Since they switched to ORBT, there's not a stop around there between 62nd and 49th, and 49th and 42nd. That was one of the main areas of concern when ORBT was first proposed. People in that Stretch from Happy Hollow to 50th probably mostly just stopped riding.

[Athomsfere]

Work on quality of service, busses, bike lanes etc. Whatever it takes to move to 2 way all day, even if that means radical ideas to get the ADTs down somehow.

I think it would be kinda nice to have a new bus route on Farnam. Since they switched to ORBT, there's not a stop around there between 62nd and 49th, and 49th and 42nd. That was one of the main areas of concern when ORBT was first proposed. People in that Stretch from Happy Hollow to 50th probably mostly just stopped riding.

It's not often we agree on things... But I do think you are right.

Looking even closer, turning up to 42nd to connect the ORBT stop there and Blackstone seems like another win too. A new line, the 3 and 15 and ORBT all serviced in basically go feels like a fairly cheap win.

[Coyote]

Omaha city council to vote on construction & planning contracts for roundabouts on Farnam
Some Dundee neighbors ask the City of Omaha to reconsider roundabouts along Farnam Street. Tuesday, city council members are set to vote on hiring a firm for the design phase for that project.

Some Dundee neighbors ask the City of Omaha to reconsider roundabouts along Farnam Street. Tuesday, city council members are set to vote on hiring a firm for the design phase for that project. Advertisement
It would turn Farnam Street into a two way street all day. The city would also build roundabouts on Farnam Street at the intersections of 50th and 52nd Streets. Neighbors say they've been fighting for two-way traffic all day for a long time. But they have never asked for a roundabout. "I think it's stupid," said Chris Carter. Those are the four words Carter uses to describe a 4-way roundabout that may soon fill the intersection.

[Bob from Omaha]

Roundabouts. Bumpercars for adults.

[Athomsfere]

Roundabouts. Bumpercars for adults.

I think roundabouts are great. But I don't think it's the right choice around here. It's very car oriented infrastructure that robs Peter in order to pay Paul.

We have better routes forward, but it involves transit and smarter city planning, and Omaha just isn't willing to spare a single lane anywhere for dedicated transit.

[GetUrban]

This seems to be part of a trend for Omaha to eliminate traffic lights in general. I’ve noticed a few traffic lights being removed in less-used locations like the one that was removed recently on N 72nd & Nebraska Plaza by the underutilized movie theater near Sorensen Plaza. There are also a lot of turn lanes that now have blinking yellow turn lights instead of dedicated green arrow, like the one at Farnam / Saddlecreek. You pretty much have to wait for the light to turn red to turn north onto Saddlecreek from east-bound Farnam.

I can understand how neighbors who stand to lose parts of their property would be upset. All-day two-way Farnam will be welcome though.

[GenX]

I get a kick out of people who complain about the yellow flashing turn arrow. I’m like: How do you respond to a normal flashing yellow light…

[Dusty]

I think we can all agree having any street switching one way to two way for certain times is confusing. Just pick one and stick with it. I'm partial to one way streets as they are safer for pedestrians and are simple. Keeping it one way all day with a protected bike lane or transit options would be awesome, but unlikely.

I say turn it two way and see how much traffic gets bottlenecked. It could be all these turning lanes and roundabouts are unnecessary after doing the study while in action.

[PWL73316]

Roundabouts. Bumpercars for adults.

I think roundabouts are great. But I don't think it's the right choice around here. It's very car oriented infrastructure that robs Peter in order to pay Paul.

We have better routes forward, but it involves transit and smarter city planning, and Omaha just isn't willing to spare a single lane anywhere for dedicated transit.

It's a narrow two lane road that struggles to deal with its neighborhood traffic. Part of the reason they want it two way is to discourage people from using it as a thru road, which it isn't designed for. Converting it to one way was basically an "F you" to the residents, in favor of the people who don't want to sit on Dodge (which isn't even that crowded). A transit lane here was never remotely in the cards.

[Athomsfere]

A transit lane here was never remotely in the cards.

That's my point. It never is, anywhere in Omaha.