The Chicago Avenue corridor should be improved with continuous bicycle-pedestrian facilities from Mt Clinton Pike to Waterman Drive and from Waterman Drive to the shared-use path at the Quarry Heights development. Due to the presence of large concrete utility poles on the NB side of Chicago Avenue, the larger path facility is recommended for the SB portion of Chicago Avenue. The NB side of Chicago Avenue is recommended to be improved with a narrower facility to accommodate the large concrete utility poles that are adjacent to the roadway.
The recommended improvements to Chicago Avenue may be pursued in phases as indicated by the phased planning-level cost estimates in Appendix D.
Two primary recommendations are provided for the Chicago Avenue and Waterman Drive intersection. To address the skewed intersection geometry and the pattern of angle crashes at this location, an offset intersection could be installed; curb extensions would modify both Waterman Drive approaches to meet Chicago Avenue at a perpendicular (90-degree) angle and improve a driver's field-of-vision from Waterman Drive onto Chicago Avenue. Improving the intersection with curb and gutter would also 'harden' the intersection edges and provide a traffic-calming effect. Moreover, the NB bike lane that ends at Rockingham Drive could be extended to Waterman Drive, where marked crossings could be installed at the time of the intersection improvement.
Alternatively, a peanut roundabout could be pursued at the Chicago Avenue and Waterman Drive intersection. Similarly to the offset intersection, a peanut roundabout would address the visibility issues currently present with the skewed approaches. The peanut roundabout would provide traffic calming as well, forcing drivers to slow down as they approach the roundabout. Compared to the offset intersection, the peanut roundabout would have better capacity for future peak-hour projections, however, the offset intersection would still provide adequate service for the future peak hour.
A new crossing of W Market Street adjacent to Thomas Harrison Middle School is needed, along with a trail connection between the crossing and the Friendly City Trail. At this location, W Market Street is a four-lane divided roadway with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour and serves approximately 7,800 vehicles per day. It is recommended that a Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon (RRFB) is installed at this midblock crossing to improve motorist yielding and pedestrian safety.
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