Planned Pedestrian and Crossing Improvements
The changes described below are proposed based on community feedback, prior planning (the West Side Safe Routes to School Plan and the Saint Paul Bicycle Plan), and technical input from city staff. The goals of these changes are to slow drivers, provide better visibility of people walking and biking, and reduce the crossing distance for people walking. Changes will be made at the following intersections:
Ohio Street
Bumpouts (or curb extensions) will be added on the south side of the street to improve visibility of people crossing George Street, reduce the crossing distance for people walking, and slow drivers by narrowing the street. There will also be bumpouts into Ohio where possible.
Bidwell Street
The intersection of Bidwell Street and George Street has a unique curve. Bumpouts will be added to help address this curve and better align drivers, while also improving visibility of people crossing George Street, reducing the crossing distance for people walking, and slowing drivers by narrowing the street.
Manomin Avenue and Hall Avenue
A pedestrian refuge island (median) will be added on George Street at both intersections to help slow drivers and provide people walking and biking a place to pause and cross each lane of traffic separately. Both Manomin Avenue and Hall Avenue are recommended bicycle boulevards in the Saint Paul Bicycle Plan. Installing medians will give people biking north and south a more comfortable crossing of George Street, and also reduce the number of vehicles on both Manomin Avenue and Hall Avenue.
The medians at Manomin Avenue and Hall Avenue will not allow left turns onto or off of George Street. Traffic will not be able to cross George Street at Manomin Avenue and Hall Avenue (eliminates north and south movements). Traffic will still be allowed to drive along George Street (allows east and west movements) and turn right onto and off of George Street.
Stryker Avenue
The existing signal at George Street and Stryker Avenue is outdated and will be removed. The amount of traffic on George Street and Stryker Avenue does not meet current standards for replacing the signal with a new one. Instead, a four-way stop will be installed and bumpouts will be added to the north side of the street.
