Traffic calming boosts commerce, quality of life

Bethlehem’s complete streets/ traffic-calming project on Delaware Avenue between Elsmere Avenue and the Albany city line has drawn some unjustified criticism. To the contrary, it will benefit the town if voters approve it in November.

The town will enjoy local business growth, as more pedestrians and bicyclists notice and patronize local merchants. Studies have shown that “bicycles bring business.” Motorists will find it easier and safer to drive to and from businesses, particularly with dedicated left-turn lanes reducing the incidence of rear-end collisions. Increased customer traffic will enhance existing businesses and attract new business to vacant facilities. More business means more town and county revenue, which can be plowed back into supporting the business community and infrastructure.

Bethlehem’s Delaware Avenue Complete Streets Project will build on previous efforts to encourage walking and cycling, and will capitalize on investments in the Helderberg-hudson Rail Trail. The economic revitalization plans of Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany, Rochester, Schenectady, and Glens Falls all include trafficcalming projects, based on a strong correlation between reducing traffic congestion and speed and increasing business growth.

Multiple studies have shown that homebuyers are willing to pay substantially more for homes in pedestrian-friendly communities with lower traffic volumes and speeds. Another study found that a 5- to 10-mph reduction in traffic speeds increased adjacent residential property values by around 20 percent.

In a traffic-calming “road diet” application, the installation of bicycle lanes is actually just a means to an end (calming) rather than an end in itself (bicycle facility). Nonetheless, the presence of bike lanes may motivate increased cycling and will certainly add to safety for people on bicycles.

While construction will cause temporary traffic inconveniences, these will be short-lived and moderate, and can be managed to reduce the impacts. There is little reason to contend that people in cars, and certainly commercial traffic, will seek out alternative routes during construction as Delaware Avenue will continue to be the most efficient route.

There is little evidence that total drive time will increase in the new configuration. It may, in fact, be reduced with “smart” coordinated traffic signals and dedicated left-turn lanes.

Once the project is complete, businesses and residents will wonder why they did not push for it years ago.