Regarding the new turning lanes (and bike lanes!) on N. Negley Ave. between East Liberty Blvd. and Penn Ave. – They are part of a Negley Ave. overhaul that has been in discussion for *years *(formal discussion goes back to at least December 2015), to better utilize the public spaces that our streets are, and to give citizens more options in how to get around. The city gave this informative presentation <http://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/Negley_PublicMeeting_20160526.pdf> at a May 2016 meeting at our own Union Project. It outlines all the changes, the context/rationale behind them, and how the different sections of Negley Ave. differ in their makeup and usage. The turning lanes are part of the "road diet" for one of the most dangerous sections of Negley. According to BikePGH's September 6 article <https://www.bikepgh.org/2017/09/06/negley-ave-redesign-adding-bike-lanes-turning-lanes/> (emphasis added), The new configuration will make Negley Ave clearer and safer
<https://bike-pittsburgh-wfhbzmzcacho5lvmo78q6shx4thzopski.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/negley.jpg> for all users of the roadway, including pedestrians and motorized traffic.
*The project includes a “road diet” in the particularly fast and dangerous section of the road, where it goes from two lanes to four for a couple blocks* [viz., in the section between East Liberty Blvd. and Penn]. According to the City’s traffic analysis, *the lanes and parking are currently underutilized*, allowing for the redesign to include the bike lanes and the turning lanes. Further, the East Liberty Blvd bike lane project added dozens of convenient parking spaces in this area back in 2008, reducing the need for parking on Negley itself. *A road diet is when the existing travel lanes are reduced in number or size, typically resulting in the slowing down and calming of traffic, while increasing predictability and safety.*
If you have questions or comments on the redesign contact Kristin Saunders at the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure at Kristin.saunders@pittsburghpa.gov or call at 412-393-0150.
Negley Avenue is one of Pittsburgh's major arteries. As a Highland Park resident who both drives a car *and* loves to ride my bike, I am overjoyed that the city is making changes to our infrastructure that will both reduce car accidents on Negley, *and* better connect Highland Park to existing bike infrastructure throughout the rest of the city: [image: Imagen integrada 1] Negley Ave. in red. (image from the article above <https://www.bikepgh.org/2017/09/06/negley-ave-redesign-adding-bike-lanes-turning-lanes/> ) And no, neither the city nor BikePGH are paying me to say this! 😉 Safe and joyous transportation, everyone! ✌ *Sarah E. Scherk* sarah.scherk@gmail.com *|* (858) 461-8186 *| *LinkedIn <http://bit.do/Sarah-E-Scherk>
