Councilman Tom Simplot
Arizona Republic
City has outgrown lanes
Back in 2007, a development project along Seventh and Glenrosa Avenues generated heated discussion among residents of central Phoenix neighborhoods. Although there were differing opinions about the height and density of the project, the biggest concern for everyone was traffic along Seventh Avenue, especially the reversible lane on Seventh Avenue and whether it should be eliminated.
The Phoenix City Council at that time agreed that the City should retain Arizona State University to study how the reversible lanes affect neighborhoods, local businesses, pedestrians, and the quality of life for those living in central Phoenix. After months of research by ASU and the City Streets Department, my colleagues and I are preparing to discuss the future of these lanes at a Council Work Study meeting on Oct. 7.
The Streets Department study has the attracted greatest amount of attention recently, but the ASU Quality of Life Study is extremely significant. ASU has been working since October of 2007 to capture the effect these lanes have on residents, drivers, pedestrians and businesses. By conducting surveys and facilitating focus group meetings to measure both opinion and experience, the researchers at ASU are bringing an additional perspective to this discussion—the people component.
The ASU study has demonstrated that no group surveyed is satisfied with the reversible lanes as they are. Even the drivers, who reap the greatest benefit of the lanes, raised concerns about speeding, cut-through traffic and local accessibility.
The other study groups include residents who live near the reverse lanes, businesses on Seventh Avenue or Seventh Street, and pedestrians who walk along these streets. Each recognizes that the reverse lanes create or worsen problems such as road rage, aggressive driving, honking and neighborhood cut-through traffic.
Additionally, they all share the belief that the reverse lanes are not safe to use.
With the anticipation of development projects in the central corridor which will bring new residents and life-blood to our small businesses, it is essential that we seriously the effect of the reversible lanes along Seventh Street and Seventh Avenue on current and future development. To this end, Arizona State University also included a land use analysis in their study. They concluded that “Central Phoenix is undergoing renewed emphasis for revitalization and development.”
Further, as residents and businesses become more urban and pedestrian friendly, they are calling for an end to the reversible lanes because, according to ASU, they are “undergoing the kind of changes they feel are now becoming incompatible with the reverse lanes.”
The businesses of the Seventh Avenue Merchants Association have come a long way and Seventh Street is quickly becoming a unique commercial district. The neighborhoods of north central Phoenix have worked tirelessly to restore their homes and create safe, walkable streets.
Central Phoenix is changing. We have moved past the need for the reversible lanes of 30 years ago. What we need to do now is to stop treating the 7s like urban freeways and allow customers and residents the chance to enjoy them.
If you have any comments or questions, please contact my office at 602-262-7447 or e-mail council.district.4@phoenix.gov.