Selwyn Avenue is scheduled to be resurfaced as part of the City’s resurfacing contract for 2009. CDOT is currently analyzing the possibility of applying a street conversion to Selwyn Avenue. We would like to hear what the Selwyn Avenue area residents, and the general commuting public, think about a Selwyn Avenue street conversion. The following are a few questions/answers to help you understand a street conversion and the pros and cons associated with one on Selwyn. Please read through the information below and complete our survey (link is below). Your input is very valuable for this and future street conversions. We thank you in advance for your interest and feedback.
What is a street conversion?
A street conversion reduces the number of vehicular travel lanes in order to increase capacity for other modes of transportation, generally bicyclists and pedestrians. In the case of Selwyn Avenue, a street conversion would consist of reducing the number of vehicular lanes from four (two lanes in both north and southbound directions) to three lanes (one lane in the north and southbound directions and a center left turn lane). It would also provide designated bike lanes.
Street conversions are changes to lane markings only. When a street is resurfaced, CDOT takes advantage of this "clean slate" to paint new lane lines. The actual road width does not change.
What are the objectives of a street conversion?
The objectives of a street conversion are to improve conditions for cyclists and pedestrians and to reduce vehicular speeds while maintaining existing traffic volumes and overall functionality of the street.
Why has Selwyn Avenue been singled out?
The most cost effective way to implement a street conversion is through resurfacing projects (as explained above). CDOT attempts to analyze all streets scheduled for resurfacing that have four or more lanes and traffic volumes of 20,000 or fewer vehicles per day. Selwyn is currently scheduled for resurfacing in 2009 and it meets the lane and volume thresholds.
What are the limits of a Selwyn Avenue street conversion?
The conversion would extend between Queens Road West and Colony Road.
What are the benefits of a Selwyn Avenue street conversion?
Bike lanes - First of all, a Selwyn Avenue street conversion will provide designated bike lanes. Bike lanes remind motorists that cyclists use this street regularly and, just as important, bike lanes push cars toward the center of the street and away from pedestrians increasing pedestrian comfort.
Left turn lanes - A street conversion will provide a two-way center left turn lane. This will allow motorists to take a left off of Selwyn from a designated left turn lane instead of having that "sitting duck" feeling waiting to take a left from a through travel lane.
Wider travel lanes - A street conversion will allow for slightly wider travel lanes, which will increase motorists’ comfort.
Traffic calming – Putting all of the traffic into one lane will create a pace car effect and may slow traffic.
What are the tradeoffs of a Selwyn Avenue street conversion?
Delays – Motorists may experience additional delays during peak rush hour. In some instances it may take an additional signal cycle to pass through an intersection. It may also take longer to turn onto or off of Selwyn.
Traffic Transfer - Drivers may elect to take different routes to avoid slower or possibly more congested Selwyn traffic.
On-street parking - The existing on-street parking between Tranquil Avenue and Colony Road may be shifted to the neighborhood streets.
Reclaiming capacity – Because street conversions only change the pavement markings, Selwyn could change back to a four-lane section in the future should the additional capacity be needed.
