Comments sought on North Main safety plan
Community comments are wanted on the proposed plan to alter the roadway and related infrastructure along North Main Street, from Great Miami Boulevard just north of downtown Dayton to Shoup Mill/Turner Road in Harrison Twp.
The plan is designed to reduce traffic accidents and injuries to motorists and pedestrians while modernizing the corridor. Public comments may be submitted through May 31 at daytonohio.gov/northmainsafety. Following is key information about the North Main project.
Why are improvements needed? The North Main Street corridor is heavily used by pedestrians. The corridor’s crash history includes a higher-than-average incidence of injury and fatality crashes, including pedestrian-involved crashes. During a study period (2015-2017), 4% (36) of reported crashes within the corridor involved pedestrians. Of the seven fatalities reported during this period, five were pedestrians. Since the study period concluded (through 2021), there have been 40 additional crashes involving pedestrians, including three fatalities.
The project is necessary to improve mobility and safety for the many pedestrians that use this corridor, by reducing impediments to pedestrian access, including nonADA compliant curb ramps, deteriorated sidewalks, inadequate crosswalk spacing, and other problems.
What does this project involve? The City of Dayton and the Ohio Department of Transportation are proposing extensive safety improvements on State Route 48 (North Main Street). Improvements will include:
■ A “road diet” reducing the number of traffic lanes from four 10-foot lanes to two 11-foot through lanes, plus an 11-foot center leftturn lane (the five-lane approach to Shoup Mill/Turner Road will be retained, tapering to three lanes at Greenhill Road).
■ An 8-foot wide parking lane will be installed for portions of the roadway from Great Miami Boulevard to Norman Avenue. The side on which parking is provided varies and was selected based on adjacent land use and public input.
■ Improved pedestrian crossings with high visibility pavement markings and curb extensions (bump-outs) to shorten pedestrian crosswalks at select intersections.
■ Increased separation between vehicle and pedestrian traffic through increased curb lawn, parking lanes, and marked shoulders.
■ Repair or replacement of sidewalk and non-compliant curb ramps, as needed.
■ Bike lanes from Castlewood Avenue to Forest Park Drive. ■ Bus pull-off where needed. ■ Modified traffic signal phasing for improved safety.
How does a “road diet” improve safety? Road diets are documented to improve safety by calming traffic, removing left-turning vehicles from the travel lane, reducing conflict points, and improving access from side streets. Studies indicate that road diets reduce vehicle-to-vehicle accidents by 19 to 47 percent. Bike lanes not only remove cyclists from the motor vehicle travel lanes, but also provide a buffer between pedestrians and motor vehicles.
What is the cost and how is it funded? The North Main project will be constructed with federal Highway Safety Improvement Funds, federal System Preservation Funds and local funding through the City of Dayton. The current estimated project cost, including right-of-way and construction, is approximately $6.4-million.