N. Euclid Neighborway

September 2020: The Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) is hosting a Neighborways Summit on September 30th, 2020 at 6pm to introduce its MoveForwardPGH rapid implementation program and to update the community on DOMI’s new traffic calming tool, the Neighborway. Through the use of traffic calming measures, Neighborways improve connections to existing bike routes, create safer environments for bicyclists and pedestrians, reduce vehicle collisions and speeding, and have minimal impact on parking. 

This meeting will introduce the community to: the MoveForwardPGH program, explain what a Neighborway is and what traffic calming infrastructure it can include, why Neighborways are selected for certain streets, and updates about ADA modifications being included in Neighborway designs.  

Included in this email is a PDF fact sheet about the Neighborway Program. Please share it and the meeting link with any residents interested in attending this meeting. 

Also, to learn more about the current Neighborway projects that have been proposed for Pittsburgh, please visit https://moveforwardpgh.org/projects/ or click on the individual project links below:

You can register for the Neighborways Summit here on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkfuuhqjgrEtJI7GB6wiP9OmnySQCnrP7E  

July 2020:  On July 19, the HPCC posted an update about the project on the listserv and information on a public meeting to be held July 28.  The posting read as follows:

On Friday 7/17, DOMI had an informal public meeting at one of the traffic circles.  Now that the pilots are in place, they can watch how cars and other vehicles navigate them and also study other implementation issues.  We got to watch the Fire Department test their largest, least nimble type of vehicle which was able to navigate the circle without problems so long as cars weren’t parked on the corners; this limitation also exists without the circles.  DOMI will consider signage, striped “bump-outs” at the corners (painted on the road), and/or enforcement to remind people that they are not allowed to park that close to the corners.  We also watched a bus navigate it with no problems.  The snow plows will be testing them soon.

DOMI also informed us that they have a group who will be out looking at the sites from the perspective of those with disabilities, including a specialist who works with visually impaired children at PPS, someone who designs wheelchairs, and someone who uses a wheelchair.  In terms of signage, they are aware that some of the signs are too low and could be a hazard for people who are visually impaired.  Those signs will be moved.  Additionally, they are researching other signs to clarify right of way and circle navigation. 

There have been some concerns that people still speed through the circles.  Once the pilot is complete, if they become permanent, there will be circles added at additional intersections which should help reduce speeds since they break up drivers’ site lines (in other words, the street no longer looks like a long unbroken stretch of asphalt that drivers consciously or unconsciously feel more comfortable speeding on). 

And the flowers are in — thank you to all the volunteers who helped and/or agreed to help with planting, transporting, and watering!

Finally, DOMI is hosting another public Zoom meeting to get more input at 6pm on Thursday, July 30th.  They will review the pilot’s findings and the updated proposal for the neighborway.  Feedback is still welcome!  Here is the link to the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2038679006276030/

Here is the direct link to register on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WJZK4ADxRe-8_iVBKYIvjw?fbclid=IwAR26kiCNvyZgVeFlSFIVCtcwWhmCar_b5Juy8ZDK02Wuf4LjsD_gXtmc6eA

July 2020:  On July 6, the HPCC forwarded the following message from DOMI to the listserv:

Good Afternoon,

We would like to share with you the link to the North Euclid Neighborway FAQ, where you can find the most commonly asked questions from our last public meeting and on the survey. Here is the link to the FAQ: https://moveforwardpgh.org/n-euclid-neighborway-and-faq/

We also want to inform you that construction for the Traffic Circle Pilot on North Euclid will start on Monday, July 6.

Please provide your feedback here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdK_hPOgHUbkmkoZtrnbued09VH2WErgKVuQt3JiadCXuvpGg/viewform

If you have questions, you can ask them directly by replying to this email, or on our website: https://moveforwardpgh.org/

Thanks,

Move Forward PGH Team

MoveForwardPGH is an initiative of the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure to implement their new Bike(+) Plan. Working with its local nonprofit partners, BikePGH and Healthy Ride, the City will engage the community throughout the process of installing new bike-friendly connections throughout Pittsburgh.

June 2020:  At the June 18, 2020 HPCC Community Zoom Meeting, the Director of the Department of Infrastructure and Development, Karina Risk, was on hand to answer questions about the closure of Reservoir Drive and the N. Euclid Neighborway project.  Most of her time was spending answering questions about the former, but she did announce that would be a Zoom meeting regarding the Neighborway, Wednesday, June 24, at 6 P.M. All interested residents are encouraged to participate.  Information for registering by Zoom was provided.

April 2020:   Representatives from the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) and Healthy Ride announced this pilot project at the April 16, 2020 HPCC Community Zoom Meeting.  Below is a summary from the meeting minutes:

The city is proposing making N. Euclid from Bunker Hill to Station Street a “Neighborway” to better connect Highland Park to East Liberty and Shadyside. The proposal includes traffic calming measures such as traffic circles to make it safer to walk, ride bikes, and for kids to play. There should be minimal impact on parking and bike lanes will not be added. In the upcoming weeks, temporary roundabouts will be installed at various N. Euclid intersections as a way to test their efficacy and their impact on the neighborhood. We will host DOMI again in a few months so that the community can provide feedback.

More information about the project is available at https://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/redtail/images/9161_North_Euclid_Avenue_Neighborway_Project_Fact_Sheet.pdf . 

You can also read more about the project in the May 2020 HPCC newsletter.