Shoeleather Journalism in the Digital Age

Shoeleather Journalism
in the Digital Age

Scottsdale citizen petition seeks to end ‘road diets’ on 6 local thoroughfares

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A view of Scottsdale Road in Old Town. (Photo by Arianna Grainey/DigitalFreePress)
Scottsdale Transportation Action Plan identifies 6 roads now ‘reclassified’
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press

A citizen petition concerning the potential lane-reducing action outlined in the existing Transportation Action Plan presented to Scottsdale City Council has garnered a formal response from City Hall.

The Feb. 20 citizen petition — signed by 188 people of which 169 were confirmed as Scottsdale residents, officials at City Hall say — outlined by Scottsdale City Council candidate Bob Lettieri formally requests the six local thoroughfares not be reduced for the sake of bicycle lanes.

“As I meet and speak with residents in McCormick Ranch and Scottsdale Ranch, they have voiced concerns about the City Council’s ridiculous idea of road diets, eliminating car lanes in favor of bicycle lanes in their neighborhoods,” Mr. Lettieri told the Digital Free Press. “So to address the neighbors’ demand that the City Council stop making traffic worse…”

  1. 96th Street from Via Linda Road to Shea Boulevard.
  2. McCormick Parkway from Scottsdale Road to Hayden Road.
  3. Hayden Road from McKellips Road to Indian School Road.
  4. 100th Street along Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard.
  5. Drinkwater Boulevard from Scottsdale Road to Scottsdale Road.
  6. Goldwater Boulevard from Scottsdale Road to Scottsdale Road.

Scottsdale Transportation Action Plan identifies 6 roads now ‘reclassified’

Mr. Lettieri contends the Transportation Action Plan ‘reclassification’ of the municipal thoroughfare allows city leaders to reduce the size of lanes for automobiles to make more room for bicycles, which is described as a ‘road diet’ in political nomenclature.

“Reclassification in the TAP sets the stage for the ‘road diet’ removal of car lanes in the future,” he said. “The residents have spoken loud and clear. They don’t want lanes removed from roads.”

Records show Mr. Lettieri submitted the citizen petition on Feb. 20, meanwhile Scottsdale City Manager Jim Thompson responded with a written response Monday, March 10, compiled by Will Brooks, management associate to the city manager.

“The city cannot do what the petitioners request because these street segments were already reclassified in 2022 TAP. However, it is clear the petitioners are actually concerned about travel lanes being removed, not simply reclassified,” Mr. Brooks said in the written response. “Reclassification does not mean lanes will be removed without evaluation and public input.”

Mr. Brooks points out staff will only consider lane removals on certain conditions that include:

  • Adding key safety features for pedestrians, cyclists and auto drivers;
  • Current volume of traffic being well below capacity; and
  • Alignment with key General Plan goals, including making decisions that strive to reduce length and number of car trips and to diversify transportation options.

Mr. Brooks provided a detailed explanation of why reclassification will not be the result of the citizen petition.

“While the reclassification won’t be reversed, city staff will continue to consult with the City Council and ask for public feedback for any proposed street reclassification and consideration of major street lane reductions,” he said in the written response.

To read the responses in full, go HERE.

In his conclusion to the citizen petition, Mr. Brooks provides City Hall officials hear the concerns of residents and will continue to address the most safe way to evaluate municipal thoroughfares as Phoenix metropolitan area continues to grow in population.

“The streets that the petitioners name have already been reclassified but the city understands the feedback around lane removals. For lane addition and reduction decisions, Scottsdale works to add safety protections while maintaining efficient transportation networks,” he said in the written response. “The city hears the concern for increased traffic and continuously strives to improve our roadway and transportation system while balancing General Plan goals and ongoing public feedback.”

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