Memo to City Commission Dated 11-04-14_NW 8th Avenue GPD Survey

8/10/2019 Memo to City Commission Dated 11-04-14_NW 8th Avenue GPD Survey

1/26


2/26

To: Russ Blackbum

City Manager

POLICE DEP RTMENT

Inter Office Communication

D ~ t e

October 27, 2014

From:

Tony Jones

hiefofPolice

Subject:

A survey hosted by the Operations Bureau with regards to the lane design on NW 8th Avenue from

NW 22 Street to NW 34 Street was recently conducted internally. The persons who participated in

the survey were employees Gainesville Police Department, both sworn and civilian. This includes

officers and Police Service Technicians who work in Operations related responsibilities. When

calculating the responses, a 4% error was used as a percentage that describes how closely the

answer your sample gave is to the true.value

is

in your population.

In all some

63

personnel took the survey regarding NW 8th A venue. In interpreting the data from

the survey it was overwhelming clear that the majority

of

the staff did not agree with the NW 8th

A venue corridor redesign and recommended that it should not remain with the current design.

A sample

of

the questions revealed the following:

One question asks the persons how often they the staff drive their vehicles on NW 8th

avenue; 79.75% stated daily, therefore it can be asserted that the staff was familiar with the

location.

The question was asked

do

you think that the changes made on NW 8th Avenue should be

permanent, 97.56 stated no.

t

was clear that the staff was in support

of

cyclist; 62% wanted

to roadway to be expanded to four lanes and add new bike lanes. Staff reflected that their

opinion was that

NW

8th Avenue did impact traffic flow; 88% indicated yes, however 98.7

the staff was

of

the opinion that the changes were not better for vehicles, 85% also indicated

the changes were not better for cyclist. The staff also reported that 78% stated they really did

not see a change in the increased amount

of

bicyclist using the new designated lanes. The

question

of

have the changes on 8th A venue impeded any emergency response

to

calls for

service 80% responded yes.


3/26

Survey Results -

W

8

h A venue

October 27, 2014

Page Two

Also included in the survey response were 99 of the respondents went on to make suggestions to the

Mayor and Commissioners. The comments were mixed:

I'm a GPD Police Officer and I hope my input is taken seriously. As a growing city ,

planning for future growth, we must consider alternate plans for bicyclists e.g. Denver,

Colorado's bike path systems. At a minimum,

W 8th A venue needs to go back to the

original design .. Or, be expanded it to four lanes and still have bicycle lanes.

More often than not, I have been delayed responding to critical calls mandating a response

with lights and siren e .g burglaries in- progress, traffic crashes with injuries, domestic

batteries, etc. One recent major event, which left two citizens injured and one found dead,

involved an active shooter at a local apt complex (Spanish Trace).

The beauty of 8th Avenue is that it is NOT a major street and is protected from major

through traffic by not intersecting with W 13th Street. I feel that the recent changes

preserve this character and allow for flow

of

local traffic to neighborhoods and enjoyment

by bikes and pedestrians.

On one side

of

the 8th Avenue roadway, my choice would be the southern side, pave over

the grassy area next to the curb and the sidewalk too. Make that raised area the bike lane

similar to rails to trails , Hawthorne trail, etc.

Put the roadway back to one lane EB and two lanes WB. There is MINIMAL bike traffic in

that area. CPL KENNEDY @ GPD if you have any questions or would like additional

details

We also asked staff to provide any other feedback, ideas or information about the design

of

the

W 8th Avenue project:

a widened combo bicycle and pedestrian pathway can be developed along the Southside

of

the roadway without adverse effect to the traffic way

We understand that you want to make bicycle travel a more violable option for those in

Gainesville. Limiting how cars travel is not the answer. Bike lanes with barriers that are

separate from roadways are the only thing that will get more people on bikes. At the end

of

the day, it is still dangerous for bicycles to share the roadway with cars and most people are

uncomfortable without some type

of

median or barrier separating them from the cars. While

this 8TH A venue lane reduction might work for bicycle enthusiast, it does nothing for the

average person who occasionally may choose to ride a bike instead

of

drive.

In summary, I must say the responses submitted by the staff were done sincerely by what the

Officers and staff believed and perceive in carrying out their duties. One from a scientist back

ground may conclude the results are classified as a perceptive response without the data to

substantiate the comment.

It is believed that Street width and design affects the ability

of

emergency service vehicles to

quickly reach a life threatening emergency. Emergency service providers and residents alike have

an expectation that neighborhood streets provide adequate space for emergency vehicles to

promptly reach their destination.


4/26

Survey Results - NW 8th A venue

October 27 2014

Page Three

Even though we have not actually performed a field test to determine

if

response time to

emergencies has actually been impeded due to the redesign of

W

8th A venue studies in the past

has concluded that response times can be slowed depending upon the amount of on-street parking

and traffic encountered on the roadway.

t is our recommendation that we reinstitute or create a design team to develop consensus and

endorsement by stakeholders on a set

of

flexible guidelines for neighborhood street designs for NW

8th Avenue.


5/26

1.84% 3

18.40% 30

79.75% 13

Q1 How often do you drive on NW 8th

Avenue?

Answered: 163 Skipped: 2

Total 163

Never

Seldom

Daily Several

Times a Day

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

Never

Seldom

Daily Several Times a Day

1 / 13

NW 8th Avenue SurveyMonkey


6/26


7/26

90.80% 14

9.20% 15

Q3 Do you think that the roadway should go

back to the original design?


Total 163

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Yes

No

3 / 13



8/26

62.58% 102

37.42% 6

Q4 Do you think the roadway should be

expanded to have 4 lanes and new bike

lanes?


Total 163

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Yes

No

4 / 13



9/26

88.41% 14

11.59% 19

Q5 In your opinion, have the changes on

NW 8th Avenue made any difference to the

traffic flow?


Total 164

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Yes

No

5 / 13



10/26

1.30% 2

98.70% 152

Q6 If yes - Are the temporary changes

better for vehicles?


Total 154

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Yes

No

6 / 13



11/26

14.09% 2

85.91% 12


better for bicycles?


Total 149

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Yes

No

7 / 13



12/26

9.52% 14

90.48% 13


better for pedestrians?


Total 147

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Yes

No

8 / 13



13/26

0.00% 0

78.75% 12

21.25% 34

Q9 Have you seen a change in the number

of bicyclists using the new bicycle lanes?


Total 160

Increased

Same

Decreased

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Increased

Same

Decreased

9 / 13



14/26

3.07% 5

96.93% 15

Q10 Do you like the changes made to NW

8th Avenue as it is currently operating?


Total 163

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Yes

No

10 / 13



15/26

80.92% 12

19.08% 29

Q11 Have the changes on 8th Avenue

impeded any emergency response to calls

for service?


Total 152

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Yes

No

11 / 13



16/26

Q12 What suggestions would you like to tell

the Mayor and Commissioners related to

the design of NW 8th Avenue?


12 / 13



17/26

Q13 Please provide any other feedback,

ideas or information about the design of the

NW 8th Avenue project in the space

provided.


13 / 13



18/26

Q12 What suggestions would you like to tell

the Mayor and Commissioners related to

the design of NW 8th Avenue?


# Responses Date

1 There needs to be an increase in traffic lanes and not a decrease. 10/21/2014 2:26 PM

2 Return 8th Ave to its original design with 4 lanes for automobile traffic. You can still placate the bicycle lobby by

paving the grass section next to the sidewalk and painting a dashed line on the expanded sidewalk to divide

bicycle and pedestrian traffic. This was done with the sidewalk on Lake Weir Ave in Ocala just south of S.E. 17th

St. I am making these suggestions based on my law enforcement experience (29 years) and as an experienced

cyclist (36 years) who is a member of the Gainesville Cycling Club. I still ride my bike on the sidewalk - not on the

bike lane. I have spoken to many neighbors who use 8th Ave daily and only one likes the changes - everyone

else hates it.

10/21/2014 11:08 AM

3 It should return to it original designed because traffic is delayed even more so now. On Game day it's a

nightmare!!!

10/20/2014 12:55 PM

4 The change was poorly designed and appears to be a quick fix to nonexistent problem. NW 8th Ave is one of the

most heavily used accesses to the Downtown area and beyond. Newberry Rd / University Ave is fine if someone

is heading to the College or has business on that road but people do have to get to life on the other side of the

College. I appreciate the desire to make this a bicycle friendly town (I ride a road and mountain bike) but to

constrict a major thoroughfare for a very small number of citizens is poor administration of traffic control authority.

I drive that way every day and do not see a volume of bicycles (and many use the sidewalk anyway) to warrant

the restriction to the high volume of vehicular traffic. Additionally, the bicycle lane ends at NW 23rd St anyway so

where is the long term benefit? Bottom line change NW 8th Ave back to four lanes.

10/20/2014 11:46 AM

5 8th Ave is highly traveled roadway it needs to be bigger to allow for more volume of traffic to effectively flow

through.

10/20/2014 8:36 AM

6 Whatever final decision is made on the lanes REPAVE THE ROAD ALL THE WAY FROM 34TH ST TO THE

POLICE DEPT

10/20/2014 7:23 AM

7 Listen to everyone around you in the beginning. We are wasting large amounts of money to create these pet

projects. We are not Portland, or any other city that you all are attempting to model. Look at the NEEDS of the

city and start acting responsible.

10/20/2014 7:10 AM

8 Widen the road to 4-lanes and put in bike lanes and wider sidewalks if you want greater and safer usage. 10/20/2014 7:06 AM

9 Return to 4 lanes. Creates daily bottlenecks and bumper to bumper traffic which is unnecessary. I drive 8th ave at

all times a day and rarely see bicyclists.

10/20/2014 3:43 AM

10 Restricting the flow of a very busy roadway is not only ridiculous, it is dangerous. I personally witness near

collisions every time I am in my personal vehicle (where 8th narrows to one lane and the through lane turns into a

turn lane) eastbound.

10/19/2014 9:40 PM

11 Go back to four lanes of travel. If bike lanes can be included, then include them. If bike lanes can't be included,

then four lane it and let bikes and cars share the road like every other roadway without bike lanes in the City of

Gainesville.

10/19/2014 9:27 PM

12 If it ain't broke quit trying to fix it. 10/19/2014 7:09 PM

13 The roadway design needs to return to four lanes. The down sizing has caused significant backups in the flow of

traffic. There is signicifant room along side of the roadway on the sidewalk for bicycles to travel. Bicycle traffic

has not increased in the area and it has only negatively affected the flow of vehicular travel.

10/19/2014 3:45 PM

14 Put it back and add the bike lanes on each side-add dirt to build it up. ITS SWAMP FOR GODS SAKE. 10/19/2014 1:20 PM

15 return it to how it was 10/19/2014 7:26 AM

1 / 5



19/26

16 I have lived just off of and used 8th Ave almost every day for the last five years, and before that I grew up in

Gainesville. Since the reconstruction of 8th Ave, the traffic congestion has dramatically increased due to there

only being one lane. In addition to the increased traffic congestion, there has also been an increase in traffic

crashes, specifically in the eastbound lane where the lanes converge into one. I understand wanting to increase

the area for pedestrians while not expanding into the Hogtown Creek area, however, the high volume of t raffic

that uses 8th Ave during their commute far outweighs the amount of pedestrian traffic that uses 8th Ave.

10/19/2014 1:19 AM

17 Decreasing the number of lanes on this section of road is not only a complete waste of money, it goes against all

common sense.

10/18/2014 6:54 PM

18 Lots of better ways to spend the money. Several of the north/south streets that parallel Main St need to be fixed,due to the increase in use after Main St was narrowed. The pot holes and uneven surfaces are dangerous.

10/18/2014 4:50 PM

19 Change the roadway back to four lanes and widen the sidewalks for bicycles. 10/18/2014 12:58 PM

20 Please, it it is not broken don't mess with it. 8th Ave was fine the way is and if for no other reason please

consider emergencies and emergency vehicles.

10/18/2014 11:10 AM

21 Return the 4 lanes. 10/18/2014 8:28 AM

22 Get rid of it. It makes responding to emergency calls extremely difficult. 10/17/2014 2:46 PM

23 If its not broke, dont fix it. 10/17/2014 12:32 PM

24 Go back to 4 lanes and have a protected seperated bike path on the south side of the roadway. 10/17/2014 10:38 AM

25 return to previous design 10/17/2014 10:38 AM

26 it needs to be re-paved. The bumps are killing me. 10/17/2014 10:23 AM

27 Raise the speed limit to 55. 10/17/2014 10:18 AM

28 Return the roadway to four lanes. The backup and lane changing at 31st st hampers flow. Speed limit s too low.

Thanks.

10/17/2014 9:43 AM

29 Put it back to original design or four lane to improve traffic flow 10/17/2014 8:01 AM

30 Please put it back to the previous configuration 10/17/2014 2:29 AM

31 There were no issues with NW 8th Ave before the changes were made. I have lived in Gainesville for 40 years

and have never encountered any problems as a driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian on NW 8th Ave. I have also been

employed at GPD for 17 years and have never encountered any issues at all on NW 8th Ave until this change.

The single lanes and lower speeds have hindered emergency response as there is not room anymore for traffic tomove over and let emergency vehicles pass. Please do not waste any more city funds to make this change

permanent. Return 8th Ave to it's original layout.

10/17/2014 2:16 AM

32 If lanes not returned to previous design, eastbound curb lane at 34th St needs to be right turn only as vehicles

often race to attempt to pass vehicles in the first 100 yards after the intersection.

10/16/2014 10:01 PM

33 Making it harder to travel by car does not increase bicycle usage. We need more roads and lanes to travel in not

less.

10/16/2014 8:10 PM

34 I would suggest making 8th ave into 4 lanes of travel. 10/16/2014 8:07 PM

35 Make it the original traffic way. 10/16/2014 5:56 PM

36 Since the roadway has gone to two lanes I have personally noticed people speeding in the school zone east of

NW 34th St to get past vehicles in order to get in the right (straight) lane and out of the left turn lane. Vehicles are

cutoff and tailgated daily because of this. Also it is much more difficult to run a code response due to only two

lanes, no place for vehicles to safely pull over and the 'median' having the post barricades. This is a major

through way used regularly by GPD, ACFR, GFR, and other safety vehicles. Some type of four lane design is

much safer, much better.

10/16/2014 5:11 PM

37 Change it back. Emergency response time has slowed drastically. 10/16/2014 4:58 PM

38 I'm a GPD Police Officer and I hope my input is taken seriously. As a growing city, planning for future growth, we

must consider alternate plans for bicyclists e.g. Denver, Colorado's bike path systems. At a minimum, NW 8th

Avenue needs to go back to the original design...Or, be expanded it to four lanes and still have bicycle lanes.

More often than not, I have been delayed responding to critical calls mandating a response with lights and siren

e.g. burglaries in- progress, traffic crashes with injuries, domestic batteries, etc. One recent major event, which

left two citizens injured and one found dead, involved an "active shooter" at a local apt complex (Spanish Trace).

10/16/2014 4:19 PM

2 / 5



20/26

39 Return it back to it 's original state. It used to f low much better and allowed traff ic to move without impediment. 10/16/2014 4:08 PM

40 On one side of the 8th Avenue roadway, my choice would be the southern side, pave over the grassy area next to

the curb and the sidewalk too. Make that raised area "the bike lane" similar to rails to trails, hawthorne trail, etc.

Put the roadway back to one lane EB and two lanes WB. There is MINIMAL bike t raffic in that area. CPL

KENNEDY @ GPD if you have any questions or would like additional details.

10/16/2014 3:51 PM

41 Don't waste money on something that does not need to be fixed 10/16/2014 3:37 PM

42 return the road to its original lanes 10/16/2014 3:02 PM

43 Go back to 4 lanes that are widened. Bike lane if necessary. 10/16/2014 2:57 PM

44 The current design forces clogged traffic from 34th to make quick attempts to change lanes, where before there

was half a mile for that.

10/16/2014 2:36 PM

45 8th Ave is the overflow choice for those on NW 16th Ave and W Univ. Ave for rush hour and game day traffic

backlogs and any upgrades or flow changes must include accommodate that reality.

10/16/2014 2:20 PM

46 The left turn lane into the park needs to be made into i ts own turn lane and eastbound traff ic needs 2 lanes. 10/16/2014 2:13 PM

47 If it has a solid median without breaks, it will be harder to respond to crashes from either side when traffic backs

up. Seconds count in emergencies.

10/16/2014 1:54 PM

48 Expand it to 4 lanes or put it back to how it was. 10/16/2014 1:41 PM

49 Please change the roadway back to the way it was! See #13 for an explanation. 10/16/2014 1:41 PM

50 4 lanes with bicycle lanes 10/16/2014 1:36 PM

51 Put it back the way it was or expand it for the bicycle lane. I use to travel that road every day, but now avoid it

like the plague. It wasn't broke and there was no need to fix it!

10/16/2014 1:30 PM

52 There is a nice big sidewalk on either side of the street, so why do the driving lanes need to be narrowed to allow

for bikes? There are ample more motorized vehicles utilizing this road than bikes. I drove 8th ave daily and never

see more than 2 bikes on the road at any given time.

10/16/2014 1:21 PM

53 Changes made to increase traffic flow and not cause traffic backup and delays. 10/16/2014 1:09 PM

54 The left lane for eastbound traffic from 3400 to 3100 is designed for left turn only onto NW 31 Blvd. Too many

cars speed through the school zone to cut into the right lane instead of getting into the right lane at the

intersection of NW 8th and NW 34th.

10/16/2014 12:45 PM

55 Please put 8th Ave back to 4 lanes, this is a horrible design, I travel this route everyday back and forth to work

and several times throughout the day. Game days the traffic is worse than normal. The merge west of 34th St is

very backed up especially during the school zone hours. Please put it back to normal. I very seldom see bikes

using the bike lane most are riding on the sidewalk.

10/16/2014 12:45 PM

56 The beauty of 8th Avenue is that it is NOT a major street and is protected from major through traffic by not

intersecting with NW 13th Street. I feel that the recent changes preserve this character and allow for flow of local

traffic to neighborhoods and enjoyment by bikes and pedestrians.

10/16/2014 12:32 PM

57 Due to the use of GPS devices, when University Ave and NW 16th Ave/Blvd become congested, this road is used

as a bypass. Narrowing these roadways is just going to make traffic patterns worse not better, especially when

there is an unexpected road closure for accidents, maintenance and the like.

10/16/2014 12:04 PM

58 Four lane vehicle traffic (Two lanes each direction of travel). 10/16/2014 11:59 AM

59 Put it back the way it was. 10/16/2014 11:49 AM

60 Cut out the grass buffer in both directions and make that the bike lane east and west OR smoothcoat the

sidewalk and mark it for bike/ped traffic

10/16/2014 11:22 AM

61 Go back to the original design or better yet, make it four lane. The traffic now is terribly slow and conjusted, which

is why I avoid the area when possible.

10/16/2014 11:03 AM

62 It needs to be returned to original configuration or expanded. Frequently vehicles abuse the left-only turn lane

(headed EB) to pass and merge headed EB instead of turning left. It has gotten to the point where vehicles are

not even trying to get into the EB lane before the intersection at 34th and 8th ave.

10/16/2014 11:00 AM

63 Return to four lanes for better traffic flow. 10/16/2014 10:53 AM

3 / 5



21/26

64 bring back 4 lanes. 10/16/2014 10:38 AM

65 Use money to fix the pot holes on NW 8th Ave so the calls for service. 10/16/2014 10:29 AM

66 The lack of common sense being utilized at the City of Gainesville regarding roads, is unbelievable. I thought the

change on Main Street from a 4 lane to a 2 lane was one of the stupidest ideas I'd ever seen, but I was wrong.

Now the only avenue providing an emergency response to the west side of Gainesville is being changed to a 2

lane highway. I recently tried to respond with several other law enforcement officers to SW 34th Street and

Windmeadows Blvd. to the report of an active shooter. Due to the city making 8th avenue a 2 lane highway, we

tried using SW 16th Ave. to Archer Road. It took twice the amount of time to arrive, while a police officer was

outside an apartment and an active shooter, shooting and killing a person in the apartment. The people involvedin the planning and execution of roads in the City of Gainesville, should be ashamed of yourselves.

10/16/2014 10:28 AM

67 The changes to 8th ave has restricted traffic flow. The changes are confusing and makes it difficult to travel

through the city. "if its not broke, don't fix it."

10/16/2014 10:22 AM

68 Return the roadway to it's prior design, please. 10/16/2014 10:19 AM

69 Traffic is getting worse and worse. We need to 4 lane more roads rather than reduce lanes. There is currently no

good way to get across Gainesville.

10/16/2014 10:14 AM

70 At least return it to the way it was--it would be better to widen 8 Avenue to 4 lanes of motor vehicle traffic and

keep the bicycles and pedestrian on the side walks where they belong!

10/16/2014 10:10 AM

71 East bound at 34th st traffic speeds through the inside lane to jump in to the outside lane before they run out of

room. This occurs even when the school zone is active. There are sometimes near misses with cars trying to get

in to the straight ahead lane. This is a dangersous design in my opinion.

10/16/2014 10:08 AM

72 Please consider changing this stretch of roadway back to four lanes. I drive this stretch of roadway everyday and

almost never see any bicyclists using this stretch.

10/16/2014 10:06 AM

73 The Mayor/commission are not engeniers. 10/16/2014 10:02 AM

74 Dumbest idea ever. The thinking of limiting roads will increase pedestrian and or bicycle traffic is moronic at best 10/16/2014 10:02 AM

75 I suggest that the design go back to the way it was. I grew up here and it has always been a 4 lane road and

there was nothing wrong with it. I hardly ever see bikes or pedestrians there now. I did not see them in the past

either. Please stop wasting city dollars on t rying to make our city more congested.

10/16/2014 9:59 AM

76 Add bike lanes if you will but revert the design back to its original layout. The way it is now has only caused

confusion for motorists, interfered with traffic flow to include emergency vehicles, and made it more dangerous

for bicycles.

10/16/2014 9:59 AM

77 make it at least two lanes in each direction. 10/16/2014 9:58 AM

78 The NW 8th Avenue corridor in question does not have bike lanes east or west of it. Therefore it does no good to

make all these changes.

10/16/2014 9:56 AM

79 Since the change was made, I stopped using 8th Ave so I cant really comment on the current conditions. I dont

have a marked unit assigned, so once again I am unable to comment on emergency response conditions

10/16/2014 9:55 AM

80 put back the way it was. 10/16/2014 9:55 AM

81 Change the roadway back the way it was. 10/16/2014 9:55 AM

82 8th Ave should at least be 3-4 lanes to safely allow emergency vehicles to use this road when responded to

emergency and allow motorist enough space to safely pull out of the way of emergency vehicles.Disabled

motorist, traffic crashes, and bicyclist/ pedestrians will also benefit from this.

10/16/2014 9:54 AM

83 I don't understand why the sidewalk is not sufficient for both bicycles and pedestrians. 10/16/2014 9:51 AM

84 Go back to the original design, or put the bike lanes outside of the 4 lane travel lanes. The neighborhood argues

this helps slow down vehicles, this is not true, since the lanes narrow to two lanes before they reach the

neighborhood. The current design is not good for anyone.

10/16/2014 9:50 AM

85 "The runway" that they were trying to eliminate as cars increase their speed once the road expands to 4 lanes

when traveling west has just been moved. Now cars speed up and cut each other off when the are eastbound. I

see cars get cut off every time I come through there. It is much more dangerous at that location now.

10/16/2014 9:49 AM

86 4 Lanes with adequate bike lanes and a sidewalk for pedestrians would be the ideal set up i f space allows. 10/16/2014 9:49 AM

4 / 5



22/26

87 If crossing NW 34 St eastbound and you're in the left lane and can not get over, you're stuck in a "left turn only"

lane waiting to get over and impeding traffic actually wanting to make a left turn.

10/16/2014 9:49 AM

88 Widen the current pedestrian path off of the roadway to make extra room for bikes and pedestrians.This would

probably be more cost effective too because the road would not have to be redesigned.

10/16/2014 9:47 AM

89 If for some reason the roadway is kept the way it is the "bottleneck" lane merge needs to be addressed because

it causes a lot of people to speed up and cut over at the last minute. That makes is very dangerous for other

cars/bicyclist/pedestrians and also causes road rage. The crosswalk also needs to be better marked as very few

cars stop for pedestrians when they are supposed to.

10/16/2014 9:47 AM

90 Bike safety is important however traffic congestion for the other 99% of the population should have consideration

as well.

10/16/2014 9:47 AM

91 This change has made a hazard for the East traffic flow. Vehicle go faster in the inside lane after NW 34 St in

order to beat the vehicle in the outside lane in order to go East. The inside lane shows ONLY LEFT, but that is

not the case. There will be a BAD collision at that point eventually. Either with vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrians.

Change it back to the way it was!!

10/16/2014 9:47 AM

92 Put it back the way it was there is not enough bike traffic to justify any additional expense and there is a very nice

sidewalk for bikers to use as well. The sudden reduction to one lane is dangerous due to forced merging going

east from 34th ST.

10/16/2014 9:47 AM

93 go back to 4 lanes, keep the bikes and ped on the sidewalks. Traffic after the football games have it backed up .

Its horrible. Who ever had the idea about changing it to two lanes should be fired! It has caused traffic problems,

and crashes. its impossible to pass when responding to calls, that don't necessarily require a lights and sirenresponse.

10/16/2014 9:45 AM

94 There are not that many people riding bikes on this street to make it for bicyclist...that is being told to me by

many citizens.

10/16/2014 9:45 AM

95 NW 8th Avenue should be set back to its original driving pattern. 10/16/2014 9:45 AM

96 Quit trying to fix things that are not broken. 10/16/2014 9:44 AM

97 Most people have to commute in a car, it is a fact of life that most of us do not live close enough to bike or walk to

work.

10/16/2014 9:41 AM

98 put it back to the way it was 10/16/2014 9:41 AM

99 Go back to the original design. 10/16/2014 9:40 AM

5 / 5



23/26

Q13 Please provide any other feedback,

ideas or information about the design of the

NW 8th Avenue project in the space

provided.


# Responses Date

1 Gainesville is rapidly growing. The traffic lanes need to grow with the population. 10/21/2014 2:26 PM

2 Please return 8th Ave to its original design. Thank You 10/21/2014 11:08 AM

3 please read 12 again. 10/20/2014 8:36 AM

4 Consider putting a light in at the Hogtown Creek boardwalk entrance/exit. 10/20/2014 7:23 AM

5 Running lights and siren with the single lane and the barricades in the center is more difficult. 10/20/2014 7:10 AM

6 I commute to and from work on NW 8th Ave, and I drive it several times a day during police patrol. I have not

seen an increase in the number of bicycles using the roadway at any time since the changes. However, I have

seen an increase in aggressive driving related to people forcing their way in to the traffic merge. I stopped andcited one man, and he told me he would probably continue doing it. It has also had a negative impact on officers

using that road to quickly get to emergency calls because it is so congested.

10/19/2014 9:27 PM

7 See above. Also as a 30 year City of Gainesville resident and 22 year city property tax payer I am sick of this kind

of thing. Stop wasting time and money making it more diff icult to get around the city. Respectfully, of course.

10/19/2014 1:20 PM

8 n/a 10/19/2014 7:26 AM

9 None 10/19/2014 1:19 AM

10 With all the money that was sunk into the rails to trails, please focus on roads that will help with pedestrian and

traffic flow rather than just bicycles. University Ave also needs a major overhaul near the university, as well as

SW 20th Ave.

10/18/2014 4:50 PM

11 Return the 4 lanes PLEASE! 10/18/2014 8:28 AM

12 Put it back. 10/17/2014 2:46 PM

13 The survey idea is good, but it should have been implemented before you spent the money on the changes that

were not needed.

10/17/2014 12:32 PM

14 Traffic stacks west of 34th Street when traveling east.Traffic merges at 31st now instead of having more room to

merge west of 23rd. If current design is kept and medians are added, response could be slowed.

10/17/2014 10:38 AM

15 see above 10/17/2014 10:23 AM

16 Raise the speed limit to 55. 10/17/2014 10:18 AM

17 a widened combo bicycle and pedestrian pathway can be developed along the southside of the roadway without

adverse effect to the trafficway.

10/17/2014 2:29 AM

18 I've been cut off many times by people suddenly realizing they have to turn left from the left lane and zooming

into the right lane in front of me. Also, it is frustrating when one driver decides to go significantly slower than the

speed limit and holds up everyone behind him/her, who have no opportunity to pass.

10/16/2014 10:15 PM

19 5. changes have caused more congestion 10/16/2014 10:01 PM

20 We understand that you want to make bicycle travel a more violable option for those in Gainesville. Limiting how

cars travel is not the answer. Bile lanes with barriers that are separate from roadways are the only thing that will

get more people on bikes. At the end of the day, it is still dangerous for bicycles to share the roadway with cars

and most people are uncomfortable without some type of median or barrier separating them from the cars. While

this 8TH ave lane reduction might work for bicycle enthusiast , It does nothing for the average person who

occasionally may choose to ride a bike instead of drive.

10/16/2014 8:10 PM

1 / 4



24/26

21 I see that there is no need for bike lanes on NW 8th Ave. There are sidewalks (fairly wide) on both sides of the

roadway and are used by pedestrians and bicyclists regularly without issue.

10/16/2014 5:11 PM

22 Expand the road to have four lanes and a bike lane on both sides. this will still allow for a sidewalk and pedestrian

traffic.

10/16/2014 4:08 PM

23 I travel that roadway MANY times a day, and rarely EVER see bicyclists. Several times I have been stuck in that

one-laned traffic attempting to respond to priority calls. Use the citizen's money for something else, please.

10/16/2014 3:37 PM

24 Please explore how to four lane NW 34 St from W. Univ Ave to 441. 10/16/2014 2:57 PM

25 We should be focused on increasing capacity throughout and making the flow more efficient, not decreasing

capacity. Fuel-powered multi-wheeled transportation is not a "phase". I'm pretty sure it's here to stay, so let's

embrace it.

10/16/2014 2:36 PM

26 Government is no a parent but a servant of the people. Keep "Social Engineering" out of the decisions made on

this or any other City actions.

10/16/2014 2:20 PM

27 4 lanes for cars. Have eastbound outside lane terminate into SW 23rd St. 10/16/2014 1:54 PM

28 The logic behind the reason why 8th Ave was shortened has always puzzled me and everyone else I know who

travels this road whom I have spoken with about this, as the shortening of the roadway has only caused more

problems and confusion than the way it was before. In regards to Ques #5, I answered Yes, but the change to the

traffic flow hasn't been for the better but for the worse. In my professional, law enforcement opinion, I have not

seen any more danger to pedestrians, bicyclists or drivers when 8th Ave was the way it was before vs. the way it

is now. In fact, I've seen more confusion and dangerous situations as the result of the lane changes, and drivers

driving all over the roadway and closer to the bike lane l ine since it has been changed. I have video and

photographs of vehicles trying to travel between the old center broken line and the bicycle lane line, which

inevitably ends up with the vehicle entering the bicycle lane most of the time. In regards to my response time, it

has been lower when responding to urgent calls (not necessarily emergency calls) where an expedited response

is required as vehicles will travel at or under the speed limit when they see my patrol vehicle behind them. I can't

even pass vehicles without causing a greater danger to the public or myself if I was in emergency mode due to

the poles that block the center lane. I have also noticed a decrease in bicyclists travel in the bike lanes (most

likely due to what I mentioned above), but instead ride on the sidewalks where I see pedestrians regularly

walking. This new design truly does not make any sense and has not benefited anybody, in my professional

opinion, who travels this section of 8th Ave; instead, it has created more of a hazard. I request that it be changed

back to four lanes as soon as possible.

10/16/2014 1:41 PM

29 The turn only lane just east of the 34th street intersection causes drivers in that lane to try and race ahead of or

cut off the drivers already in the eastbound only lane. There should be some sort of barrier that keeps vehicles in

the turn only lane.

10/16/2014 1:21 PM

30 Causes traffic delays on both NW 8th Ave and NW 34th St. Causes vehicles to race up to the merge point and cut

off vehicles in the proper traffic lane. No increase in bike use. The traffic flow problems are made worse when the

school zone is in operation (AM & PM).

10/16/2014 1:09 PM

31 Return NW 8th Ave to 4 lanes. 10/16/2014 12:45 PM

32 I would suggest you increase the width of NW 34th ST between Univ and NW 16th Ave, during rush hour the

traffic is backed up all the way south to Univ ave and it is bumper to bumper all the way to 16th.

10/16/2014 12:45 PM

33 A bike path along side of the sidewalk is better than making the path part of the roadway. 10/16/2014 12:04 PM

34 Needs repaving as well. 10/16/2014 11:49 AM

35 SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED!! I have in the past 12 months had to use the road several t imes

responding to traumatic calls and traffic literally comes to a stop in front of me not knowing where to go. It was

advised it was a poor design and it went through anyway. We are LUCKY that no LEO or Fire Personnel were

injured because the City would have 100% paid out. %

10/16/2014 11:22 AM

36 If it is to stay in it's current configuration, the center lane needs to be made accessible for passing by emergency

vehicles.

10/16/2014 11:00 AM

37 emergency vehicles have nowhere to pass when responding in emergency mode. 10/16/2014 10:38 AM

38 It was not broken 10/16/2014 10:29 AM

2 / 4



25/26

39 The 8th Avenue corridor has enough room to provide 4 lanes of travel. Additionally, the right of way adjacent to

the street is wide enough to provide both a sidewalk and a bicycle lane. Why is it that the "rails to trails" provides

enough room for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel together, without jeopardizing anyone's safety? In thirteen

years at the Police Department, I've never heard of any requests for emergency vehicles to respond to the rails

for trails to assist injured persons who were ran over by a bicyclist. Since, I may never get the opportunity again

in my career with the police department to tell you what I think of the planning by the City, without consequences

other than this anonymous survey; I'd like to take the opportunity to tell you that the moronic idea of putting a

round about on Main Street equals the stupidity involved in changing 4 lane roadways to 2 lanes. The money that

the City Commissioners, City Manager and Mayor waste on roundabouts in Gainesville and changing the amount

of lanes on a highway to make them bicycle friendly is nearly impossible to comprehend. Why would anyone intheir right mind, place bicycles next to vehicles driving 35-45 mph, than to separate pedestrians and bicycles that

travel much slower and would not normally create life ending crashes. The City Government in this City wastes

so much money putting bricks in sidewalks, creating roundabouts, buying "mom's kitchen", a golf course, buying

a biomass plant and putting in another park, that perhaps they could think about their employees just a little bit

and give their employees a raise. Maybe they could pave the roadways that are falling apart, that are full of pot

holes, or here's a novel idea; If you have so much money to waste on these idiotic plans, maybe you could

reduce the taxpayers taxes. We're not just employees here at the City. We're tax payers, we're residents, and we

vote. We've really had enough of elected officials wasting our hard earned tax dollars. It's really easy to spend

money like a drunken liberal democrat, when your spending other people's money. The fact that someone in City

Government actually sat around and came up with this ridiculously, stupid idea, just goes to show what I've

learned since I came here. The City of Gainesville, Managers, planners and persons who make decisions are

highly educated people, who have absolutely no common sense.

10/16/2014 10:28 AM

40 I left 7 and 8 blank because I don't think the temporary changes have made a real difference but I only travel that

roadway in a vehicle so I cannot say for sure. I have not utilized that roadway for emergency travel as of yet so I

cannot speak to #11 from first hand knowledge. Also, I do travel that roadway frequently during the hours that the

school zones are in effect. I routinely observe vehicles speeding east along 8th Avenue just east of 34th Street in

an effort to merge over from the left turn lane. That is a traffic hazard and is difficult to enforce without further

impeding traffic or speeding through the heavily travelled school zone to catch a violator due to the roadway

design.

10/16/2014 10:21 AM

41 The fastest route east-west through the city was 8th Ave. Since the changes to the roadway, it is no longer the

fastest way through town. That has resulted in a slower response for police units responding to calls for service

around the Oaks Mall and other businesses out on Newberry Rd.

10/16/2014 10:19 AM

42 Don't fix what ain't broke. 10/16/2014 10:14 AM

43 See above comments!! 10/16/2014 10:10 AM

44 Come up with something better. 10/16/2014 10:08 AM

45 Please stop wasting money on projects that create more congestion. Please move the city forward and not

backwards.

10/16/2014 9:59 AM

46 Save money and keep it as before. 10/16/2014 9:56 AM

47 there is no bicycle lane west of 34th St so bicyclist go from sidewalk to street, but mostly they just stay on the

sidewalk. Vehicles try to merge to outside lane at the last minute which causes hazards.

10/16/2014 9:55 AM

48 We do not need trees in the middle of the roadway 10/16/2014 9:55 AM

49 Due to the closing of the lanes, I drive out of my way to avoid the increased traffic on NW 8th Avenue. 10/16/2014 9:51 AM

50 Thank you for asking. 10/16/2014 9:50 AM

51 I think that if the design is going to stay the same then the east bound outside lane west of 34th St should be aright turn only. That would eliminate the merging issue on the east side of 34th St.

10/16/2014 9:49 AM

52 A stripe on the path could designate which side the pedestrians should be on and which side the bikes should be

on.

10/16/2014 9:47 AM

53 I always run my radar while traveling that section of the roadway and get people doing 55-60MPH in the 35MPH

zone. The wide single lane with no bicycle traffic makes it very easy to speed. I've written a lot of tickets but more

often I can't do a stop because I'm on my way to a call for service.

10/16/2014 9:47 AM

54 Open up all the vehicular traff ic lanes and expand the actual sidewalk and mark with a designated bike lane. 10/16/2014 9:47 AM

3 / 4



26/26

55 Bicycles do not use the roadway for traveling, only the walkway. Vehicle continue to travel at 45 MPH and not at

the new speed of 35 MPH. The traffic for GAME Day has always been a nightmare. Now, it is worse than that, it

is a HORROR Story with no ending. Chang it back to the way NW 8th Ave was!!

10/16/2014 9:47 AM

56 Increase the length of the left turn lane at NW 34 ST south of NW 8th AVE, to improve traffic flow. Drivers driver

center lane anyway might as well make it safer by adding to size of left turn lane.

10/16/2014 9:47 AM

57 I used to travel NW 8th Ave on a daily basis, but since the changes have been made, I refuse to travel that

portion of the road. This is on and off duty. Traffic is more congested and there aren't any more bicyclists using

this area. There is a sidewalk that is large enough for bicyclists on the south side of the roadway. This is a long

stretch of road and I rarely see pedestrians walking it. The changes have slowed response times for emergencycalls and our wonderful citizens aren't getting the assistance they need in a timely manner from GPD and GFR.

This is a negative reflection to the entire City of Gainesville.

10/16/2014 9:46 AM

58 change it back, why does it take a whole year to do a "survey"? 10/16/2014 9:45 AM

59 We need to make our roads more vehicle friendly especially for our busses since that is another one of the cities

ideals..Main ST is another problem the city has made even the busses have a hard time making turns they are

just going to tear up the sidewalks or have more traffic crashes due to the limited turn radius.

10/16/2014 9:45 AM


Date post:	02-Jun-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	wuft-news
View:	215 times
Download:	0 times

Memo to City Commission Dated 11-04-14_NW 8th Avenue GPD Survey

Documents