| Phoenix Introduces Shared Streets for Social Distancing Pilot | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/street-transportation/1656 | Street Transportation | | 12/9/2020 4:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1656/Newsroom_Streets_029.png | | Phoenix Introduces Shared Streets for Social Distancing Pilot | <div class="ExternalClass656420A35A2848AAB7830F72E6AEEA2C"><html>
<h4>City Seeks Applications to Add Safe Outdoor Recreational Spaces During Pandemic</h4>
<p>Now through Dec. 31, Phoenix residents can nominate segments of their streets to be temporarily restricted to allow only local traffic, creating more space for outdoor recreational activities such as walking, running or biking while complying with public health and social distancing guidelines.</p>
<p>Residents must <a href="https://action.phoenix.gov/c1.pl?486e1726107ef91afb5c6779bd66f5bb083a8549052a1baf" target="_blank">submit an application</a> by 5 p.m. Dec. 31, 2020 to be considered for the pilot program. Residents may only submit applications for streets or street segments on which they reside. Program requirements include:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Only <a href="https://action.phoenix.gov/c1.pl?4977c8441d0ea7a2caaffa7150a639d67005fabfa8259160" target="_blank">residential or minor collector streets</a> will be considered. Street segments cannot cross an arterial/major street or a signalized intersection.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Street segments must be long enough to provide a meaningful opportunity for recreational activities (minimum of a half-mile).</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Street segments that contain loops are ideal, but not required.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The city of Phoenix Street Transportation Department will review all applications, prioritizing the following selection criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>High population density areas with a greater need for recreational space.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>More than a half-mile distance from parks, trails or other public open spaces.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Higher percentage of households without cars.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Located within a previously identified <a href="https://action.phoenix.gov/c1.pl?fcf5f4acf2af8ac425b739ffb0ba5446a336c14817d60a71" target="_blank">Mobility Areas</a>.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Additional factors such as proximity to existing bicycle lanes, bus stops, libraries, schools, community centers and more.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The applicants of selected streets will be responsible for securing support from 25% of households who live along the proposed route. The Street Transportation Department will notify the nearby neighborhoods, install signage and barricades and activate the shared street(s) for the pilot program in early 2021. City staff will evaluate the pilot locations including collecting resident comments, traffic counts, pedestrian counts and more. The pilot program is planned to be in place through May 2021.</p>
<p>Learn more about the pilot program, permitted and prohibited activities and the application process at <a href="https://action.phoenix.gov/c1.pl?486e1726107ef91afb5c6779bd66f5bb083a8549052a1baf" target="_blank">phoenix.gov/streets/shared</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>
<span id="ms-rterangepaste-start">General Contact</span>
</h3>
<p>Nicolas Santiago, <a href="mailto:nicolas.santiago@phoenix.gov" target="_blank">nicolas.santiago@phoenix.gov</a> or 602-859-6519</p>
<h3>Media Contact</h3>
<p>Ashley Patton, <a href="mailto:ashley.patton@phoenix.gov" target="_blank">ashley.patton@phoenix.gov</a> or 602-292-3704</p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/streets | News | street-transportation |
| Phoenix Completes Another Record-Breaking Street Paving Season | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/street-transportation/1652 | Street Transportation | | 12/7/2020 3:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1652/Newsroom_Streets_027.png | | Phoenix Completes Another Record-Breaking Street Paving Season | <div class="ExternalClassC0C2C29FE9A24D70A998AA070A50FF7F"><p>The city of Phoenix continues to pave more than ever before. The hottest summer on record and a global pandemic did not slow street maintenance crews and contractors who successfully completed the city's busiest paving season yet. These essential
workers could not work from home, but with less traffic, pavement projects moved quickly and in a more convenient way.</p><p>Every year since its implementation in 2018, Phoenix's
<a href="http://www.phoenix.gov/pavement" target="_blank">Accelerated Pavement Maintenance Program</a> has broken records. 2019 marked Phoenix's largest paving season yet, tripling the number of major street miles paved than on average. And
2020 was even busier, with approximately 130 more miles of streets treated than in 2019.</p><p>Approximately 590 miles of Phoenix streets received pavement maintenance treatment in 2020 – about 12% of the city's entire street network.</p><p>The Accelerated Pavement Maintenance Program brings more benefits than smooth roads to Phoenix. People walking and riding bicycles will also notice improvements. A freshly paved street is a blank canvas – Street Transportation staff examine each roadway
for opportunities to improve safety and bicycle connectivity. More than 40 miles of new bicycle lanes were installed and approximately 30 miles of bicycle lanes were upgraded to include buffers in fiscal year 2020. Additionally, more than 3,000
curb ramps were upgraded to meet the most current ADA standards through the 2020 pavement maintenance program.</p><p>"Phoenix residents chose to invest in their future by approving Transportation 2050 and we are fulfilling that choice by improving our city streets at a record-setting pace. Public safety, economic development and education all depend on properly
paved streets and it is critical to do as much as we can during the paving season," said Councilwoman Thelda Williams, chair of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation city council subcommittee. "We appreciate the patience of our
residents while roads were restricted and the hard work of our staff and crews during this busy season."</p><p>The city of Phoenix also brought innovation to street maintenance in 2020 by introducing the
<a href="http://www.phoenix.gov/streets/coolpavement" target="_blank">Cool Pavement Pilot Program</a>. Cool pavement was applied at nine locations across the city, covering 36 miles of residential streets in neighborhoods and one parking lot at
a city park. This lighter in color asphalt treatment has the potential to offset rising nighttime temperatures in Phoenix, serving as "sunscreen for the road." The program, through a partnership with the city's Street Transportation
Department and Office of Sustainability and Arizona State University researchers, will continue to be evaluated in 2021 to study the effectiveness and durability of the material.</p><p>"Although 2020 has been a challenging year, the city of Phoenix hasn't slowed work toward its ambitious goals," said Mayor Kate Gallego. "With the cool pavement program and the record-breaking street paving season, the Street
Transportation Department continues to demonstrate its innovation and commitment to efficiency and effectiveness."</p><p>The accelerated schedule for pavement maintenance continues through 2023. The city's interactive dashboard at
<a href="http://www.phoenix.gov/pavement" target="_blank">phoenix.gov/pavement</a> allows residents to see the program's completed projects and planned projects. The Accelerated Pavement Maintenance Program is a five-year program, funded through
a Council-approved $200 million advance on voter-approved
<a href="http://www.t2050.org/" target="_blank">Transportation 2050</a> revenues.</p><p> </p><h3>General Contact</h3><p> Accelerated Pavement Maintenance Program,
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:pavement@phoenix.gov">pavement@phoenix.gov</a> or 623-825-3444</p><h3>Media Contact<br></h3><p>Ashley Patton,
<a href="mailto:ashley.patton@phoenix.gov" target="_blank">ashley.patton@phoenix.gov</a> or 602-292-3704
<br>
</p>
<br><br></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/streets | News | street-transportation |
| Two Pedestrian Scrambles Installed in Downtown Phoenix During National Pedestrian Safety Month | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/street-transportation/1596 | Street Transportation | | 10/30/2020 7:00:00 AM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1596/Newsroom_Streets_026.png | | Two Pedestrian Scrambles Installed in Downtown Phoenix During National Pedestrian Safety Month | <div class="ExternalClass99A6FF951DCA499C96EE42C1366A00B7"><html>
<p>People who live, work or play in downtown Phoenix no longer have to look to Tokyo or New York City to learn what a pedestrian scramble is. A pedestrian scramble is an intersection that allows pedestrians to cross in any direction. Downtown Phoenix is now home to two pedestrian scrambles, complete with all-way crosswalks and a traffic signal phase that temporarily stops all vehicular traffic, allowing pedestrians to cross the street in any direction, including diagonally. </p><p>“As the fifth largest and fastest growing city in the nation, the installation of two pedestrian scrambles downtown is just one example of how Phoenix is constantly improving our infrastructure through innovation and data," said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “These are exciting additions and will create a better experience for our residents, regardless of how they decide to travel."</p><p>The two pedestrian scramble intersections are adjacent to the downtown Arizona State University campus on Taylor Street at 1st and 3rd Streets. With many people walking in this area, the pedestrian-only phase of the traffic signals is expected to improve safety and reduce delays for people walking and people driving. </p><p>“No matter how you travel on our city's roadways, safety must always come first," said Councilman Michael Nowakowski. “The installation of two pedestrian scrambles in Phoenix is an innovative safety improvement for the many pedestrians commuting downtown to work, school, events or home."</p><p>Street Transportation Director, Kini Knudson, explains that these intersections are another step to improve mobility in Phoenix, but added that they are part of a long-term strategy. “We are always looking at ways to improve our roadways for all users – people walking or jogging, riding bicycles or scooters or driving cars. For downtown Phoenix, the addition of these two pedestrian scrambles is just one of many recent and upcoming improvements." He highlights that the <a target="_blank" href="/streets/3rdand5thavenues">3rd and 5th Avenues Project </a>is under construction, the <a target="_blank" href="/streets/3rdstreet">3rd Street Project </a>will begin construction in spring 2021, and that the <a target="_blank" href="/streets/DTPU">Downtown Transportation Plan Update</a> demonstrates that our infrastructure is set up for success. Learn more about the department's capital improvement projects<a target="_blank" href="/streets/projects"> here</a>.</p><p>The pedestrian scrambles were both installed and activated in October, which is National Pedestrian Safety Month. People walking are encouraged to only cross when given indication from the traffic signal. Diagonal crossing is only acceptable at these two specially marked crosswalks. At all other intersections, pedestrians should cross at designated crosswalks as indicated by the paint markings.</p><p>People driving are reminded to always come to a full stop on red and to expect people crossing in any direction during the pedestrian-only phase. The city encourages people to always be alert and on the lookout for the wide variety of people who use Phoenix streets. Recently, also as part of National Pedestrian Safety Month, the Street Transportation Department launched a new public service announcement campaign, Scan the Street for Wheels and Feet. Watch the full PSA <a target="_blank" href="/newsroom/street-transportation/1579">here</a>.</p><p>Learn more about the Street Transportation Department at <a target="_blank" href="/streets">phoenix.gov/streets </a>and follow the department on Twitter <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/streetsphx">@StreetsPHX</a>. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Media Contact</strong></p><p>Ashley Patton, Senior Public Information Officer<br>Email: <a target="_blank" href="mailto:ashley.patton@phoenix.gov">ashley.patton@phoenix.gov</a><br>Phone: 602-292-3704 (call/text) </p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/streets | News | street-transportation |
