Takeaways:

• Crossing East Ohio is dangerous, especially at unsignalized intersections.
• Pedestrians don't feel safe crossing signalized intersections because of conflict with turning vehicles.
• Missing pedestrian connection - there is no sidewalk along the south side of East Ohio before Chestnut St.

Proposals in the plan:

• The signalized intersections will utilize innovative pedestrian & bicycle-focused signalization systems known as Leading Through Interval (LTI) & Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) that reduce the conflict with turning vehicles in the designated crossings.
• The unsignalized crossings will receive proven safety improvement countermeasures like pedestrian refuge island, raised intersections, raised crosswalk, and curb extensions.

Example Pictures:

Raised Crosswalk:

Raised Intersection:

Pedestrian Refuge Island:

Curb Extension:

• The plan also proposes an elevated shared-use path connecting the business district with the Chestnut St intersection in the east bound side of the E. Ohio St.

Takeaways:

• Parking concerns
• Congestion concerns
• Red light running at Madison Ave and East Ohio St.
• Confusing lane markings/signage for westbound traffic along East Ohio between Chestnut St and East St.

Proposals in the plan:

• To ensure loading & parking access within the business district, the current proposal will retain most of the legal parking spaces on both sides of East Ohio St.
• Additional wayfinding signage is proposed to direct traffic to the PPA parking lot.
• Additional parking spaces will be made available along the Cedar Ave.
• During the event days, congestion is inevitable. Signals will be optimized to shorten cycles to reduce delays and long queues during events.
• Additional signal heads will be introduced to reduce the red light running issue on Madison Ave & E. Ohio St.
• A new pavement marking plan is recommended to provide a more intuitive traffic pattern for through, turning, and parking lanes along the westbound portion of East Ohio St between East St. & Chestnut St.

Takeaways:

• A dedicated Bike facility is needed on E. Ohio St. Between Cedar Ave. & East St.
• Upgrades needed to bike facilities along East Ohio St. between East St. & Chestnut St.
• Turning movement conflicts at Chestnut St. & Cedar Ave. intersection.

Proposals in the plan:

• The business district along this corridor has a high demand for on-street parking and loading zones. Given the current road width, accommodating both these needs and dedicated bike lanes is not feasible. To enhance pedestrian safety and create a more bike-friendly environment, we propose traffic calming measures that will slow vehicle speeds. Additionally, a low-stress alternative route for cyclists is being considered on Tripoli Street, connecting Cedar to Chestnut (Note: This will be a separate project and not related to the Streetscape improvement project) . It's worth noting that this portion of East Ohio St. has a zero-incident record for crashes and bike safety-related 311 request (timeline: January 2019 to December 2023).
• Upgraded bicycle facilities are proposed at:
  • E. Ohio St. west of Cedar Ave.
  • E. Ohio St between East St. and Chestnut St.
  • Cedar Ave approach (northbound)
  • 16th St. approach
• Signalized intersections will utilize innovative pedestrian & bicycle-focused signalization systems known as Leading Thourgh Interval (LTI) & Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) that reduce conflicts between bicycles and turning/merging vehicles in the signalized intersections.

Takeaways:

• More transit amenities
• Pedestrian crossing concerns
• Bus stop consolidation & bus stop overcrowding issue

Proposals in the plan:

• The plan will propose transit amenities per PRT Bus Stop & Street Design Guidelines.Amenities can include but are not limited to: bench, trash can, bus shelter, bike rack.
• All the pedestrian crossing enhancements will improve the experiences for transit riders also. The curb extensions in front of the bus stops will be designed like a Bus Bulb configuration.

• The current plan didn’t propose any consolidation of bus stops. However, it is recommended per PRT guidelines. The city wants to hear more from the community before making any decision related to bus stop consolidation.
• The existing bus stop west Bound between Madison & Chestnut is moved near the Chestnut intersection.

Takeaways:

• Drug Loop - The community identified this public safety issue along Middle St. Divers using Middle and Avery to purchase drugs and then quickly get back to the highway.

Proposals in the plan:

• New traffic circulation is proposed to deter easy through traffic using Middle St. for drug sales. The proposed pattern is also expected to reduce cut-through traffic in the residential blocks.

• One Way on Middle toward East Ohio

• One Way on Nash toward Avery & Lockhart
• Note: This change will be outside the scope of the streetscape plan. If the proposal receive community support, this change will be implemented as a separate project.

Takeaways:

• Beautification of the business district
• Enhancements at both ends of the business district to act as gateways and welcome visitors to the district.

Proposals in the plan:

• Curb extensions, medians, and pedestrian refuge islands can be converted to green infrastructure to create a more beautiful and welcoming environment.
• Transit amenities like seating, shelters, garbage bins, and bike parking will be recommended per the PRT Guidelines.
• Retained parking and loading zones can be used as Flex Zones. The city will continue the conversation with adjacent businesses in the next project phase.
• Gateway landscaping, signs, murals, art, lighting under I-279, and a vacant city corner plot between Nash & Canal St.Note: (These improvements are not explicitly in the scope of the streetscape project. This will also require additional discussion with PennDOT. The City Department of Public Works and Department of City Planning will be the appropriate entity to lead this effort.)