Update - April 2021

The City of Phoenix will be ending the Shared Streets for Social Distancing Pilot Program at 2nd Street, Cody Drive to Broadway Road and Cody Drive, 2nd Street to 7th Street on April 15, 2021. The pilot was originally scheduled to end on May 31, 2021.

The safety of all users of our roadways is always the top priority for the Street Transportation Department. Unfortunately, due to consistent and repeated tampering with the barricades set up to guide traffic through the pilot program area, the program can not safely be maintained.

The barricades were placed following national safety regulations to notify drivers that the streets were closed to all non-local vehicles and to safely allow local traffic to enter. However, the Street Transportation Department cannot ensure safety measures are being taken when the original configuration of the barricades is not maintained, following the national safety standards.

Street Transportation Department staff will remove the barricades on April 15.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Nicolas Santiago at Nicolas.Santiago@phoenix.gov.

Update - February 2021

The application window for the Shared Streets for Social Distancing Pilot Program is CLOSED. Street Transportation Department staff continue to thoroughly evaluate the applications received. ​Upon receiving significant community support, locations are added to the pilot program. 

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​Program Overview

The City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department accepted applications for the Shared Streets for Social Distancing pilot program. The objective of the program is to restrict a select number of streets to local traffic only on a temporary basis to create more space for Phoenix residents to walk, run, bike, etc. while complying with social distancing guidelines. 

Residents nominated their street(s) to participate in the pilot program by completing an application in December 2020. Priority was be given to neighborhoods fulfilling several characteristics. The criteria for these priority neighborhoods includes:

• High population densities where there is a greater need for recreational space.

• More than half-mile distance from parks, trails, or other open spaces.

• Higher percentage of zero-car households.

• Within a previously identified Mobility Area.
  

• Additional criteria for consideration will include proximity to existing bike lanes, bus stops, libraries, schools, community centers, etc.
  

• Only residential or minor collector streets will be considered. Street segments cannot cross an arterial/major street or a signalized intersection.

• Street segments must be long enough to provide a meaningful opportunity for recreational activities (minimum of a half-mile).

• Street segments that contain loops are ideal, but not required.

​Program Details

• While the streets are closed to through-traffic, local traffic will still be allowed. People who live on the street, or who need access to a destination on the closed street will be allowed access.
• People in cars are urged to drive very slowly and use extreme caution on shared streets. 
• Police enforcement of signs and barricades is not included as part of this program. Adherence to shared streets signs and barricades will be strongly encouraged.
• Shared streets restrictions will be effective 24 hours a day/seven days per week. 
• Shared streets are for local residents only. They are not intended as gathering areas for the general public. Residents using a shared street must adhere to social distancing guidelines.

• The applicant will be responsible for reporting missing or damaged barricades and signs. 

Activities that will be allowed on shared streets include:

• Recreational activities like walking, biking, roller-staking, running, etc.

• Access for emergency vehicles and people who live on the street.

• Those carrying out essential business activities such as deliveries or take-out orders that begin or end on the shared street.

• On-street parking.

• Garbage collection, street sweeping and other necessary municipal maintenance or business.

Activities that will NOT be allowed on shared streets include:

• Group gatherings or large events.

• Any type of programmed activity.

• Cooking, barbecuing or picnics.

• Setting up of tables, chairs, play equipment, etc.

Program Timeline

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Application Process (December 2020)

• Residents who were interested in pursuing a shared street and meet the above criteria submitted an application.
  

• Residents may only submit applications for streets or street segments for neighborhoods in which they reside.

Review and Selection Process (January 2021 - February 2021)

• City staff will review each submitted application on a rolling basis. 

• City staff may contact applicants with any questions about the applications and may suggest alternate street segments for consideration. 

• City staff will notify applicants whether or not the street or route qualifies for the shared streets pilot program.

• If the street qualifies, applicants will be responsible for securing support from twenty-five percent (25%) of households who live along the proposed route.

• City staff will notify applicants whether or not their application has been selected for the shared streets pilot program.

Pilot Program Implementation (February 2021 – May 2021)

• City staff will install signage and barricades and activate the shared street(s) for the pilot program. The Street Transportation Department is working to finalize the designs for the signage and barricades included in the pilot program. A draft example of potential signage is depicted below:

• Pilot program locations are planned to be in place through May 2021 but the program schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the Street Transportation Department.

​Sel​ected Pilot Program Locations

• 2nd St: Cody Dr to Broadway Rd Cody Dr: ​2nd St to 7th St