An open house to present proposed traffic flow changes attracted about 75 people.
Safety study returns streets to 2-way traffic in residential areas
COVINGTON, Ky. - About 75 people attended an open house Wednesday evening to give input on proposals that would return traffic flow on sections of Greenup Street and Scott Boulevard to two-way.
“There were definitely some strong opinions on both sides of the issue,” said Chris Schneider, project manager and principal planner with Planning and Development Services of Kenton County (PDS).
Greenup is one-way north; Scott is one-way south. The heavily traveled streets carry Ky. 17, a state route, from 20th Street to the Ohio River through residential neighborhoods.
In response to concerns about the volume and speed of through traffic in areas tightly packed with houses and parked cars, the City of Covington hired PDS to conduct the study at the request of the Eastern 4 neighborhoods (Wallace Woods, Austinburg, Helentown, and Levassor Park). Returning Scott and Greenup to two-way traffic in order to slow traffic and promote residential investment was one of four big priorities identified by Eastern 4 leaders in conversations with the City.
After a short presentation Wednesday night at the Life Learning Center, staff from PDS set up 11 large information boards to explain two proposals, and then answered questions from residents who walked from board to board. Residents were also given surveys to fill out and an opportunity to prioritize goals for changes,
In sum, both proposals would change traffic flow patterns on the two streets between 20thStreet and 11th Street. One proposal would keep traffic signal lights at the 15th and 16thstreet intersections, the other would use stop signs.
“I was impressed that most people took the time to read the boards and ask questions to better understand the data. A lot of people appeared to be putting serious thought into their written comments,” Covington Economic Development Director Tom West said.
“The turnout was great, and we heard lots of different opinions, which is important because there is no perfect solution and there are positives and negatives for each alternative as well as keeping the traffic patterns just as they are.”
Residents who couldn’t make the hearing can learn more about the study and see a summarized version of the proposals
HERE. They can also email comments to Chris Schneider of PDS at
cschneider@pdskc.org by the end of the day Friday.
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| PDS staff answered questions about data and the proposals. |
PDS spent a half year collecting data on how many cars use the streets and how fast they go, analyzing crash data, looking at intersections and backups, and examining the effect of things like neighborhood businesses and on-street parking.
PDS will sort through the public input and work with City staff to decide whether to move forward with a recommendation. The Covington City Commission would have to approve any changes, as would the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, since Greenup and Scott are state-owned and maintained.
A similar change was made years ago, when the state route was moved north from Wallace Avenue to 20th Street to reduce traffic on Wallace.
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| Attendees weighed in on the City's top goals for the study. |