Thanks to blogger Robert for asking for more information on converting downtown Spokane one-way streets to two-ways. I posted a source for information on that subject on an earlier thread, but thought if Robert is interested, maybe others are too.
The University District/Downtown Spokane Transportation Improvement Study was completed by DKS Associates just about a year ago and has a section devoted to converting one-way streets. To save you some trouble finding it, the pertinent info is in section 10, titled ‘Motor Vehicles,’ on page 10-3.
What are your thoughts? Should downtown Spokane streets be converted back to two-ways? If so, which ones?
Well I don't think Second or Third, or Division and Brown should go back to two way, but all the rest downtown could easily be converted back to two way traffic. Those first four streets have a lot of through traffic and one way streets benefit that kind of traffic. The other streets were two way at one time and it worked then to help build downtown Spokane so it should work now to keep it alive and prospering.
Riding a bike on a on-way is much safer than riding on a two way, so until we get dedicated bike lanes I hope we don't lose the one-way streets. The reasone the oneways are better is that cars have an easier time getting around bikes, so bikes don't feel crowded out of their rightful lane by impatient drivers.
Both good points. Which is why it's going to be a hot issue when the City moves forward on this. I'm not sure what's in the works for this, or the timeframe, but I'll check with my City contacts and post updates as things develop.