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Input sought on electric-assisted bikes on multi-use paths
Aug 29th
The public is invited to attend a public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, to learn more about options being considered for a proposed electric-assisted bicycle (e-bikes) pilot project. The meeting will be held at the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder building located at 1750 33rd St., in the Houston Room on the first floor. For those interested, e-bike users and retailers will offer the opportunity to test ride e-bikes and learn more about the technology from 4 to 5 p.m. prior the meeting.
This effort is part of the ‘Complete Streets’ focus area of the current process to update to the city’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP).
This meeting is a follow-up to an initial e-bikes public meeting held in early August. That meeting introduced the potential pilot project to the community and initiated discussions about e-bike use on multi-use paths. At the Sept. 4 meeting, transportation staff will present options under consideration for amending the definition of an e-bike and for testing e-bike use on multi-use paths. If residents are not able to attend the public meeting, the city is also collecting feedback on e-bikes with a survey available here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/E-bikesurvey. City staff will also be performing in-person surveys on multi-use paths around Boulder.
Currently, e-bikes are only allowed in on roadways and on-street bicycle lanes. The potential pilot program would allow e-bikes on off-street multi-use paths, not including open space trails.
Comments from the public meeting and other outreach events will be used to inform the final pilot proposal.
The Transportation Advisory Board will hold a public hearing on e-bikes on Sept. 23 and make a formal recommendation to City Council. Council will consider the pilot ordinance at a first reading on Oct. 1; a second reading and public hearing will be held on Oct. 22. If approved by council, the pilot project would be launched in November 2013. Based on community feedback and results from the pilot project, council would evaluate whether to continue to allow the use of e-bikes on multi-use paths.
E-bikes are part of the city’s bicycle innovations under review as part of the TMP update’s “living laboratory” concept. Throughout the summer/fall, test facilities and pilot program will be launched to better understand transportation choices and identify strategies that encourage more people in our community to walk and bike.
For more information about the TMP update and to sign up for the ‘Community Feedback Panel’ for bicycle innovations, visit www.BoulderTMP.net. To participate in the online community conversation, visitwww.inspireboulder.com.
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Improvements to 15th Street (Arapahoe to Canyon) scheduled to begin next week
Aug 23rd
The city will be adding new, wider sidewalks, trees and grates, an irrigation system, bike racks, recycling and trash receptacles, poles for “15th Street Design District” banners, and new light-emitting diode (LED) streetlights that the city will own and operate.
The city is also collaborating with Boulder High School students to create public art for the new 15th Street design. The student-inspired art includes a creative metal railing and sidewalk prints that gradually transition from human footprints to panther paw prints between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue. The foot and paw prints will be sandblasted and painted into the 15th Street sidewalks, along with design-related quotes.
“Fifteenth Street is an important corridor for Boulder businesses, students, residents and visitors,” said Executive Director of Downtown, University Hill and Parking Services Molly Winter. “The streetscape improvements will enhance the vibrant culture and unique character of the 15th Street Design District.”
The 15th Street (Arapahoe to Canyon) Streetscape Improvements are funded by the 2011 voter-approved Capital Improvement Bond. To view the planned improvements, visit www.bouldercolorado.gov/bond-projects, select “Downtown Improvements,” and then select “15th Street Improvements.” For more information, call Ashlee Herring at 303-413-7315.
To receive email updates, visit the City of Boulder Email Lists page and select “Public Works News.” For the latest construction and traffic information, visit www.boulderconezones.net and follow @boulderconezone on Twitter.
To view a map of the city construction projects in downtown Boulder, visit www.bouldercolorado.gov/bond-projects and select “Downtown Improvements.”
Westbound Arapahoe Avenue to reopen between Folsom and 15th streets on Saturday
Aug 15th
On Saturday, Aug. 17, westbound Arapahoe Avenue is scheduled to reopen, providing traffic flow in both directions between Folsom and 15th streets. On Monday, Aug. 19, the JUMP bus route is scheduled to return to Arapahoe Avenue (in both directions), with temporary bus stop closures.
This second phase of construction, with both directions of traffic open, will remain in effect through mid-May 2014. During off-peak daytime hours (8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.), sections of Arapahoe Avenue will be narrowed to one lane of alternating traffic. There will be some single-lane closures along short stretches of Arapahoe Avenue, but traffic flow will be maintained in both directions. The second phase includes underground utility installation, irrigation relocation, and construction of curbs, gutters, driveways, and sidewalks.
The first phase of the project completed:
· reconstruction of Arapahoe Avenue between 15th and 17th streets into concrete, including underground utilities and extension of the existing student drop-off lane and multi-use path along the Boulder High School property on the south side of Arapahoe Avenue;
· installation of a new gas main between 17th and 21st streets; and
· installation of new storm sewers between 15th and 17th streets, and Folsom and 21st streets.
“An important section of Arapahoe Avenue has been reconstructed from a badly rutted, asphalt street into a smooth, durable concrete roadway between 15th and 17th streets,” said Director of Public Works for Transportation Tracy Winfree. “The city appreciates the community’s patience and understanding while we continue to improve this major roadway, identified as a high-priority reconstruction by the Capital Investment Strategy Committee.”
From mid-May through mid-August 2014, Arapahoe Avenue is scheduled to be reduced to one eastbound lane of traffic, with westbound traffic detoured onto Canyon Boulevard. Businesses along Arapahoe Avenue will remain open and the Boulder Farmers’ Market will remain at its current location.
By fall 2014, Arapahoe Avenue is scheduled to be completely reconstructed into concrete between Folsom and 15th streets, along with additional enhancements. The project is funded by the 2011 voter-approved Capital Improvement Bond. For more information, call 303-441-3266 or visit www.bouldertransportation.net and select “Arapahoe Avenue Reconstruction.”
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