[BikeLongmont] proposed Wal-Mart

[Richard Masoner]

Here are some of my thoughts regarding the Wal-Mart Supercenter that is 
proposed at the northeast corner of SH66 and US287 north of Longmont. 
Remember, I'm not a traffic or planning engineer, I just play one on the 
Internet.

1. SH66 is a popular route for cyclists. The proposed extension of 
Collyer Street and the right-in/right-out entry/exit may have an impact 
on road sharing between cyclists and motorists visiting Wal-Mart. Will 
there be sufficient road-sharing space between the right-turn lane and 
straight through lanes? I'm particularly concerned about the west-bound 
acceleration lanes out of Collyer and the right-out exit. We'll have a 
situation similar to the acceleration lanes from Hover and Airport Road 
onto SH119. Are there any thoughts on how to minimize the effect to 
cyclists of these acceleration lanes? The sidewalk on the plan is fine 
for pedestrians, but not for cyclists heading into the mountains. 
Perhaps some signage can be required warning merging motorists to watch 
for straight-through cyclists?

2. I have similar concerns about the acceleration lane coming out of 
Park Ridge Avenue onto northbound US287.

3. The proposed site plan shows crosswalks across SH66 at Collyer and 
across US287 at Park Ridge. How about a ped refuge in the median at each 
of these?

4. The plan shows 42 spaces for bicycle parking.  Very nice! The plan, 
however, specifies "wave" racks which are unacceptable (Sheet 7, Detail 
B). Longmont Development Code §15.05.060(C)(4) specifies that 'Spaces 
for short-term bicycle parking shall provide a means for the bicycle 
frame and one wheel to be attached to a permanent fixture (designed for 
securing bicycles) by means of a lock. The preferred design is the 
"inverted U" rack.'

5. Because SH66 is high speed all the way from I-25 until you hit 
Collyer Street, some sort of psychological cue to get into "city 
driving" mode would be helpful. Perhaps this can be done with a 
contrasting color pavement for the Collyer Street crosswalk? This will 
make it easier for traffic to merge in from Wal-Mart, and also might 
ease the desperate pedal-to-the-metal acceleration we see getting onto 
SH119 from Hover & Airport Road that endangers cyclists.

6. SH66 is a gateway into Longmont, with a very high volume of tourist 
traffic headed to Estes Park and RMNP. The plan shows plenty of 
landscaping in the form of trees and bushes along the highway. Is it 
possible to do some other things to pretty up this entry corridor? (I 
don't have any specific suggestions). Perhaps a large raised median (in 
conjunction with my suggestion for a ped refuge and subtle traffic calming).

7. Transit: There aren't any buses that go thataway. What will be the 
impact on the RTD budget to change routes to service this area?

Does anybody else have comments regarding the proposed development north 
of Longmont? Should I forward these thoughts to Phil Delvecchio?

Richard Masoner

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://picek.bicyclelongmont.org/pipermail/bike/attachments/20040615/a6003641/attachment.htm