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We received a response from the DOT regarding our concerns, and there is some planned action by them, to change the conditions of Route 260. Here is the letter we received:
We received a response from the DOT regarding our concerns, and there is some planned action by them, to change the conditions of Route 260. Here is the letter we received:
Essentially, the change is repainting the lines so that lane widths northbound and southbound "will be reestablished to 11 feet."
Essentially, the change is repainting the lines so that lane widths northbound and southbound "will be reestablished to 11 feet."
The DOT is also recommending additional speed enforcement in this area. But no speed limit reductions will be made "at this time."
The DOT is also recommending additional speed enforcement in this area. But no speed limit reductions will be made "at this time."
No mention was made of the "lopsided" paintings of the shoulders, when you compare Northbound and Southbound widths. We hope this will be corrected when the lines are repainted.
No mention was made of the "lopsided" paintings of the shoulders, when you compare Northbound and Southbound widths. We hope this will be corrected when the lines are repainted.
So the question now is, what will the change look like? Will the road be safer for pedestrians and cyclists?
So the question now is, what will the change look like? Will the road be safer for pedestrians and cyclists?
I measured the road to see how eleven feet lanes compare to the current setup, and the amount of space gained on the shoulders. Here are my findings. This assumes that no additional pavement is added to the existing road.
I measured the road to see how eleven feet lanes compare to the current setup, and the amount of space gained on the shoulders. Here are my findings. This assumes that no additional pavement is added to the existing road.
With a resestablishment of eleven feet lane widths...
With a resestablishment of eleven feet lane widths...
- Northbound, 8 inches is added to the shoulder, increasing the total shoulder width to 4 feet inches, or 56 inches.
- Northbound, 8 inches is added to the shoulder, increasing the total shoulder width to 4 feet inches, or 56 inches.
- Southbound, 18 inches is added to the shoulder (note the significant lopsidedness, hopefully this will be corrected), increasing the total shoulder width to 3 feet 11 inches, or 47 inches.
- Southbound, 18 inches is added to the shoulder (note the significant lopsidedness, hopefully this will be corrected), increasing the total shoulder width to 3 feet 11 inches, or 47 inches.
- Total shoulder width available would become 103 inches (56+47). If road lines are painted evenly, then 4 feet 3.5 inches of shoulder width can be provided on both sides of the road. This would improve the southbound width, which is currently under 2 feet. I certainly hope the road shoulders are painted evenly this time.
- Total shoulder width available would become 103 inches (56+47). If road lines are painted evenly, then 4 feet 3.5 inches of shoulder width can be provided on both sides of the road. This would improve the southbound width, which is currently under 2 feet. I certainly hope the road shoulders are painted evenly this time.
IF, the shoulder widths are painted EVENLY, with an equal amount of space north and southbound, then the southbound lane width would be improved from 1 feet 11 inches, to 4 feet 3 inches.
IF, the shoulder widths are painted EVENLY, with an equal amount of space north and southbound, then the southbound lane width would be improved from 1 feet 11 inches, to 4 feet 3 inches.
Southbound shoulder gains 18 inches with an 11 foot width auto lane, as measured from the center line.
Southbound shoulder gains 18 inches with an 11 foot width auto lane, as measured from the center line.
Northbound shoulder gains 8 inches.
Northbound shoulder gains 8 inches.
Note that the DOT has not yet determined the how, or the when they will adjust the pavement marking. But they have assured that changes will be made. I'm assuming here that no pavement surface will be added to the road.
Note that the DOT has not yet determined the how, or the when they will adjust the pavement marking. But they have assured that changes will be made. I'm assuming here that no pavement surface will be added to the road.
Southbound shoulder side.
Southbound shoulder side.
Northbound shoulder side.
Northbound shoulder side.
My personal reaction to the response.
My personal reaction to the response.
I do appreciate DOT addressing our Route 260 concerns and promising some changes be made. If the lines are repainted evenly, so the shoulder widths aren't so lopsided, then the southbound lane will be a little safer, than currently. But until the current speed of cars is decreased, the road isn't significantly safer for cycling. I'm hoping that law enforcement can make a difference, but I'm doubtful.
I do appreciate DOT addressing our Route 260 concerns and promising some changes be made. If the lines are repainted evenly, so the shoulder widths aren't so lopsided, then the southbound lane will be a little safer, than currently. But until the current speed of cars is decreased, the road isn't significantly safer for cycling. I'm hoping that law enforcement can make a difference, but I'm doubtful.
I'm disappointed that Route 260 could not have been set up like it's "sister" - Route 19 -- Lake Road. As I've mentioned on the main page, Lake Road has a shoulder that is 5.5 feet wide, with a 40 mph speed limit. Had the DOT reduced the speed limit on Route 260 to 40 mph, it would have cost drivers a mere two minutes of additional travel time from Ridge Road to Roosevelt. A think that is a very small price to pay for safer roads. The 40 mph reduction would have allowed the DOT to reduce lane widths to 10 feet, affording even more shoulder room. This with the assumption that no additional payment surface will be added to the road.
I'm disappointed that Route 260 could not have been set up like it's "sister" - Route 19 -- Lake Road. As I've mentioned on the main page, Lake Road has a shoulder that is 5.5 feet wide, with a 40 mph speed limit. Had the DOT reduced the speed limit on Route 260 to 40 mph, it would have cost drivers a mere two minutes of additional travel time from Ridge Road to Roosevelt. A think that is a very small price to pay for safer roads. The 40 mph reduction would have allowed the DOT to reduce lane widths to 10 feet, affording even more shoulder room. This with the assumption that no additional payment surface will be added to the road.
I will continue to avoid cycling on Route 260 as much as I can, but it's hard to avoid since it is where I live. And I'll never feel safe while doing so.
I will continue to avoid cycling on Route 260 as much as I can, but it's hard to avoid since it is where I live. And I'll never feel safe while doing so.
All this is just part of the equation for biker safety. Drivers need to put away the cell phone while driving, pay attention, slow down, and give cyclists and pedestrians their space on the road.
All this is just part of the equation for biker safety. Drivers need to put away the cell phone while driving, pay attention, slow down, and give cyclists and pedestrians their space on the road.
Lake Road (Route 19).
Lake Road (Route 19).
DOT's response, to make significant safety revisions to Route 260, fell short of the mark, in my opinion. It lacks a reduction of the speed limit to 40 mph, which would have allowed wider shoulder space.
DOT's response, to make significant safety revisions to Route 260, fell short of the mark, in my opinion. It lacks a reduction of the speed limit to 40 mph, which would have allowed wider shoulder space.
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