Road Diets?

[mrsticka]

Are there any streets in or around Omaha that are being planned to go on road diets? Change from 4 lanes (2 in both directions) to 3 (1 in both directions and a center turn lane). And they may or may not have bike lanes?

[ricko]

Not exactly a road diet, but Omaha needs to get rid of these one-way streets. They’re a relic of bygone era.

[Dusty]

Two come to mind for me: 24th Street corridor and NW Radial HWY.
24th Street was planning for 3 lanes and standard bike lanes. I don't believe any of it is official yet. I know the 24th Street BRT study was looking into road diet options as part of a BRT upgrade.

I would rather see reduced car lanes with a protected bikeway verses standard bike lanes on both sides.

NW Radial was working with Vision Zero to create traffic calming methods to make this safer. A road diet was mentioned as one of the solutions.

[Brad]

Didn't Farnam in the Blackstone go from 4 (2 each way, no turn lane) to 3 (1 each way with a center turn)?

[Louie]

Didn't Farnam in the Blackstone go from 4 (2 each way, no turn lane) to 3 (1 each way with a center turn)?

Correct

[Brad]

I really wish the Main post office would move and the they could completely Road Diet re-construct 13th street from I80 to Downtown.

[mistergutierrez]

I feel the same way with Leavenworth from 30th to Saddle Creek

[Dundeemaha]

Didn't Farnam in the Blackstone go from 4 (2 each way, no turn lane) to 3 (1 each way with a center turn)?

Farnam went from 4 lanes westbound (3 West past 36th)

To 2 West, 1 East when midtown crossing was built.

Then recently 1 West, 1 turn lane, 1 East

[halgy]

I really wish the Main post office would move and the they could completely Road Diet re-construct 13th street from I80 to Downtown.

13th street was my first thought as well. There are always backups behind someone turning left in an unprotected lane. I got rear-ended last year because of that. A road diet through Little Bohemia would also be good, to make it practical to cross the road.

I feel the same about 42nd street from I-80 to Dodge. Traffic would flow so much more smoothly and predictably if there was just a dedicated left turn lane.

[Busguy2010]

They're probably all too busy to do so, but I really hate any and all 2 lane-each-direction roads, such as Blondo between 72nd and 80th, 90th between Center and Dodge, 60th between Sorensen and Radial, and Pacific between 92nd and 100th. You just never know when somebody is going to turn left and backup the left lane, to a point that I almost never ride in the left lane anyway.

[FishFighter92]

They're probably all too busy to do so, but I really hate any and all 2 lane-each-direction roads, such as Blondo between 72nd and 80th

Blondo is like my hidden secret to get east-west quick. Not having access to the interstate makes it so speedy.

[yman97]

There's supposed to be an upcoming announcement for a road diet on Center from 32nd Ave possibly as far as 42nd. Residents of both Field Club and Hanscom Park have been working on this for years. Apparently it's been approved just not sure what the final design is.

[skip]

I'm pretty sure its only from 32nd ave to 36th. But if its all the way to 42nd, that would be amazing!!

[MetcalfeHarrison]

In the City of Omaha Capital Improvements Program it appears to be shown all the way to 42nd. They don't have it budgeted until 2029 or 2030 though.

[Louie]

That's great news for that stretch of businesses.

[skip]

thats huge!

[Busguy2010]

108th between Emmett (Just north of West Maple) to Fort will get the typical road diet for a 4-lane road - 1 lane each direction, a turn lane, and bike lanes.

https://www.3newsnow.com/northwest-omah ... efficiency

I have wanted this for a LONG time. We've done this with just about every 4-lane road by now, and this was one of the hold outs. I felt all are dangerous, and I couldn't tell you how many times people whip around the people turning left at 50+ mph.

After this, you can probably count on one hand the number of 4 lane stretches left.

Probably the most prominent now is south 90th street. I'll bet its probably the busiest one, and probably couldn't get away with it. But given how many of the road diets they've done to nearly all 4-laners, you'd think its potentially under consideration.

[Busguy2010]

While its on my mind, another busy one left is 42nd. I'd be inclined to say doing so to 42nd would probably be an issue, given the 3 and 15 are some of the busiest routes, it would be tough to co-mingle with only one lane of traffic. That leads me to the thought, maybe instead of bike lanes, why not transit lane(s) instead. I just imagine, at least on 42nd in particular, much more people ride the bus than would ride a bike. 42nd between Leavenworth and Center is one of the few stretches to have more than one bus route. Another candidate would be Ames between 31st to 42nd, as it carries four routes.

Just thinking of other ideas. Some of them simply wouldn't have enough room, but 30th for instance, has three traffic lanes, bike lanes in both directions, and parking on one side. So at least in that case, I wonder if it would be more beneficial to both the car traffic and bus traffic to be separate from each other, vs having it be a bike lane that honestly can't imagine gets used much at all.

[Elkhorn_Urbanist]

108th between Emmett (Just north of West Maple) to Fort will get the typical road diet for a 4-lane road - 1 lane each direction, a turn lane, and bike lanes.

https://www.3newsnow.com/northwest-omah ... efficiency

I have wanted this for a LONG time. We've done this with just about every 4-lane road by now, and this was one of the hold outs. I felt all are dangerous, and I couldn't tell you how many times people whip around the people turning left at 50+ mph.

After this, you can probably count on one hand the number of 4 lane stretches left.

Probably the most prominent now is south 90th street. I'll bet its probably the busiest one, and probably couldn't get away with it. But given how many of the road diets they've done to nearly all 4-laners, you'd think its potentially under consideration.

This has the potential to be a really good change. The quotes from that article and video are about what you would expect though. Getting cars out of the transit lanes for turns should make trips by car if not quicker, then at least safer, more predictable with less weaving at high speeds. The bike lanes really should be protected and not just painted, and I'm not even talking curbs and concrete. Even plastic reflective bollards would do the job and be a lot cheaper. The comment that no one rides bikes is a bit rich because how could anyone in their right mind ride a bike on that stretch of road? If we actually provided quality bike infrastructure then people will choose to bike. Also worth a note that those bike lanes all on their own almost certainly have more capacity (if used to their full theoretical potential) than all the other transit lanes on that road.

This is a great change though and I hope that similar improvements can continue to be made to other streets.

[zippy]

Probably the most prominent now is south 90th street. I'll bet its probably the busiest one, and probably couldn't get away with it. But given how many of the road diets they've done to nearly all 4-laners, you'd think its potentially under consideration.

When I was growing up near 93rd and Pine in the 70s, 90th Street from Pacific to Arbor (or Dorcas?) was blacktop with open ditches for rainwater. The city proposed widening and paving it, and there was a lot of fuss from a group called "Friends of 90th Street". I suppose they could revive the group if needed.

[GenX]

While its on my mind, another busy one left is 42nd. I'd be inclined to say doing so to 42nd would probably be an issue, given the 3 and 15 are some of the busiest routes, it would be tough to co-mingle with only one lane of traffic. That leads me to the thought, maybe instead of bike lanes, why not transit lane(s) instead. I just imagine, at least on 42nd in particular, much more people ride the bus than would ride a bike. 42nd between Leavenworth and Center is one of the few stretches to have more than one bus route. Another candidate would be Ames between 31st to 42nd, as it carries four routes.

Just thinking of other ideas. Some of them simply wouldn't have enough room, but 30th for instance, has three traffic lanes, bike lanes in both directions, and parking on one side. So at least in that case, I wonder if it would be more beneficial to both the car traffic and bus traffic to be separate from each other, vs having it be a bike lane that honestly can't imagine gets used much at all.

Both 90th and 42nd would need to be widened and lanes added (even if they’re just for turning or bikes) to achieve this as there is a lot of traffic on both and a reduction in capacity would be a no go. 90th has the room, but 42nd doesn’t.

[Busguy2010]

While its on my mind, another busy one left is 42nd. I'd be inclined to say doing so to 42nd would probably be an issue, given the 3 and 15 are some of the busiest routes, it would be tough to co-mingle with only one lane of traffic. That leads me to the thought, maybe instead of bike lanes, why not transit lane(s) instead. I just imagine, at least on 42nd in particular, much more people ride the bus than would ride a bike. 42nd between Leavenworth and Center is one of the few stretches to have more than one bus route. Another candidate would be Ames between 31st to 42nd, as it carries four routes.

Just thinking of other ideas. Some of them simply wouldn't have enough room, but 30th for instance, has three traffic lanes, bike lanes in both directions, and parking on one side. So at least in that case, I wonder if it would be more beneficial to both the car traffic and bus traffic to be separate from each other, vs having it be a bike lane that honestly can't imagine gets used much at all.

Both 90th and 42nd would need to be widened and lanes added (even if they’re just for turning or bikes) to achieve this as there is a lot of traffic on both and a reduction in capacity would be a no go. 90th has the room, but 42nd doesn’t.

Yeah, 42nd also has the transit need, and 90th doesn't, and I dont believe a capacity reduction would fly on either, but the trend has been to reduce capacity on 4-lane roads. Just thoughts of what could be done on other roads that have had the diet. What im getting at is there's enough room on any 4-lane road to do 3-lanes and one transit lane (pick your direction), instead of the same ol 3-lanes and bike lanes. I love how its a way to slow traffic, but I think a lot of them offer an option that hardly anybody would use. Like, look at the hill going north on 108th. I would be extremely impressed and doubtful anybody would take that route for their regular bike commute.

Just thinking about options. I think it would make more sense, If they were to want to do a road diet on any road, I'd rather see one transit lane (pick your direction) than two bike lanes. I think it wouldn't hurt to explore the options than say, "slap two nearly unusable bike lanes on each side and call it good". Even on a road like 108th, that has quite minimal bus service probably could benefit by having the bus traffic theoretically separate from the car traffic, now that theyre reducing capacity. Ditch the bike lanes and make it a transit lane so the bus doesn't hold up the whole line of traffic. VS like the one or two people that'll use a bike lane on this street.

[skip]

anyone have info on the road diets proposed by Vision Zero? main one I'm interested in is the Leavenworth road diet from 42nd to 480. I know that one was top 5 on the list they proposed.

[locoluke]

I don’t remember if it was in Vision Zero, but 13th from Pacific to Martha looks to have a road diet on the horizon. NW Radial is also looking like it will be cut down from 6 lanes to 4. I haven’t heard anything about Leavenworth outside of MAPA speaking in favor of a diet in their post about walking to work.

[locoluke]

From Keep Omaha Moving:

Omaha Public Works is improving safety and operations along one mile of Leavenworth Street from 60th to 49th Streets.
This summer’s resurfacing of Leavenworth will extends the existing three-lane configuration between 60th and 55th Streets eastward to 49th Street by restriping the segment east of 55th Street from four lanes to three. This change introduces a center left-turn lane to improve operations and reduce conflicts, while creating a consistent lane configuration along the corridor.

[iamjacobm]

From Keep Omaha Moving:

Omaha Public Works is improving safety and operations along one mile of Leavenworth Street from 60th to 49th Streets.
This summer’s resurfacing of Leavenworth will extends the existing three-lane configuration between 60th and 55th Streets eastward to 49th Street by restriping the segment east of 55th Street from four lanes to three. This change introduces a center left-turn lane to improve operations and reduce conflicts, while creating a consistent lane configuration along the corridor.

Do 40th to Park Ave next.

[locoluke]

From Keep Omaha Moving:

Omaha Public Works is improving safety and operations along one mile of Leavenworth Street from 60th to 49th Streets.
This summer’s resurfacing of Leavenworth will extends the existing three-lane configuration between 60th and 55th Streets eastward to 49th Street by restriping the segment east of 55th Street from four lanes to three. This change introduces a center left-turn lane to improve operations and reduce conflicts, while creating a consistent lane configuration along the corridor.

Do 40th to Park Ave next.

I’d miss my favorite pastime of waiting at Turner Boulevard to turn east onto Leavenworth until Leavenworth gets a red light and then sprinting to 31st before traffic can catch up to me.

[Busguy2010]

Ames ave getting a road diet down to 3 lanes from Fontenelle to 16th. No mention of bike lanes.

Anybody get down there often enough?

I like the safety consideration, but I feel this is one of the busier streets to go on a diet. It will be a bit annoying being stuck behind the buses. Theres 4 routes from fontenelle to 30th and 3 from 30th to Florence.

[Dundeemaha]

I think it's a very good candidate because there are a large number of left turns, it will likely increase traffic flow during busier times because you won't get backed up 6 cars deep waiting

[GenX]

Ames ave getting a road diet down to 3 lanes from Fontenelle to 16th. No mention of bike lanes.

Anybody get down there often enough?

I like the safety consideration, but I feel this is one of the busier streets to go on a diet. It will be a bit annoying being stuck behind the buses. Theres 4 routes from fontenelle to 30th and 3 from 30th to Florence.

That section is barely wide enough for the four narrow lanes they have now, so the road diet will help in that regard.

[Flyer14]

Does anyone think that Dodge will be changed in the near future? Specifically right in Midtown, about 50th to the split at Mid town crossing. In the last couple years there has been a substantial increase of large apartment complexes on top of Dodge. I think for safety it needs to be reconfigured for at least these 20ish blocks. Maybe when the Saddle creek over pass is redone it would be feasible.

[Athomsfere]

Does anyone think that Dodge will be changed in the near future? Specifically right in Midtown, about 50th to the split at Mid town crossing. In the last couple years there has been a substantial increase of large apartment complexes on top of Dodge. I think for safety it needs to be reconfigured for at least these 20ish blocks. Maybe when the Saddle creek over pass is redone it would be feasible.

Man I hope so.

I know the standard answer is it will be a hard move, because its a highway. But I say its time to re-route it anyway.

I am also curious if this has anything to with this, with the timing:

[BRoss]

Does anyone think that Dodge will be changed in the near future? Specifically right in Midtown, about 50th to the split at Mid town crossing. In the last couple years there has been a substantial increase of large apartment complexes on top of Dodge. I think for safety it needs to be reconfigured for at least these 20ish blocks. Maybe when the Saddle creek over pass is redone it would be feasible.

There is zero chance that Dodge will ever have a road diet.

[Busguy2010]

Does anyone think that Dodge will be changed in the near future? Specifically right in Midtown, about 50th to the split at Mid town crossing. In the last couple years there has been a substantial increase of large apartment complexes on top of Dodge. I think for safety it needs to be reconfigured for at least these 20ish blocks. Maybe when the Saddle creek over pass is redone it would be feasible.

Reconfigured as in? Diet? No.

[Busguy2010]

Making the middle lane a turn lane? Maybe.

[Athomsfere]

I mean, we can dream Omaha one day decides to make the city more hospitable to people.

[Busguy2010]

How many candidates are there? I think someone here listed all of them at some point. As far as candidates (4 lanes, no turn lane, kind of neighborhood-y)

Off the top of my head, 13th south to Harrison, North 30th if they ever remove 75, 42nd south to Q, Saddle Creek Road, Missouri Ave. 60th Sorensen to NW Radial, 60th south of L, Blondo 72nd to 102nd, Mercy Rd in Aksarben, 78th Dodge to Cass, 90th Dodge to Center, Pacific 90th to 102nd, 102nd Nicholas to Maple, 120th Burke to Frances, Q st 120th to 132nd That might be all of em.

Well you have your answer in those ones above. How likely are they to happen soon, or ever? My #1 want for Dodge has been to make the middle lane a turn lane so we can turn left at intersections, and we can take all those ugly signs and lights out. Or permanently make it 3 westbound and two eastbound and at least get rid of the X lights. O, and ENFORCE the speed limit. You wouldnt believe how slow 35 feels on Dodge, but it is the speed limit. You know how many people they'd have to ticket every day? Practically everyone.

OR, finally my other preference, make the westbound curb lane, Turner to 69th, permanently a bus only lane. Thats all you'd need to finally give ORBT an advantage over vehicle traffic.

In one man's fantasy, you'd make that westbound curb lane bus only, AND put the remaining 4 lanes to a road diet, making only one lane in each direction. Ya know how unrealistic that would be? Thats neglecting the fact Dodge is our busiest street.

[almighty_tuna]

make the westbound curb lane, Turner to 69th, permanently a bus only lane. Thats all you'd need to finally give ORBT an advantage over vehicle traffic.

Out of all the weird things that you post on this forum, I can actually get behind this conceptually. A dedicated transit-only lane with the occasional pull-offs to accommodate 2-way bus traffic.

[Busguy2010]

make the westbound curb lane, Turner to 69th, permanently a bus only lane. Thats all you'd need to finally give ORBT an advantage over vehicle traffic.

Out of all the weird things that you post on this forum, I can actually get behind this conceptually. A dedicated transit-only lane with the occasional pull-offs to accommodate 2-way bus traffic.

Thanks?

[BRoss]

I mean, we can dream Omaha one day decides to make the city more hospitable to people.

Sure, but pushing to remove lanes from one of the city's busiest streets is very unrealistic and will turn many against the concept of road diets in general.

It's better to focus on less major thoroughfares with excess capacity. Streets like Leavenworth and other undivided four lane roads for example.