We’d Like Your Input on Recommended Traffic Pattern Changes

(At the bottom of this page is the 4th Street Bridge Impact Assessment Information)

 
 

RECOMMENDED TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGES in NEIGHBORHOOD

With the replacement of the 4th Street bridge there are at least three significant impacts to our neighborhood. The first is that buses and larger trucks will now be able to use the bridge. The second is that traffic levels are forecasted to increase by up to 40% over the next 10+ years. Third is that the improved bike lanes on the bridge will likely encourage more bicyclists to use the bridge.

In order to get in front of these impacts a small group led by neighbor Mike Beeby has put together a recommendation for traffic pattern changes. It has been reviewed by the Executive Committee and it was shared with the membership at our April 22, 2024 monthly meeting (photo above). Before taking this recommendation to the City and State we would like to get your input as a member of our neighborhood association.

Here is a link to the recommendation. Please submit any input by Friday May 10, 2024 to communication@HLRCA.com.

Fourth Street Bridge Impact — Your Participation Requested by May 13th

As a next step in the development of the 4th Street Bridge replacement a historic asset impact assessment of the new bridge was done on our neighborhood. (Here is a link to the assessment summary.)  This is because our neighborhood is on the national register of historic places and therefore any adverse impact must be evaluated and if possible mitigated.  In general the assessment was made on a visual basis and the conclusion was that, since a bridge currently exists the new bridge, although significantly wider and taller, does not create an adverse impact on the neighborhood.  They do note that the historic stone wall on the south side of 4th & Garrard will need to be removed and rebuilt.

In representing our neighborhood’s interests we have requested that the following adverse impacts be noted and mitigated:

The new bridge enables larger trucks and buses to cross over the bridge and through our neighborhood.  This will have an adverse impact on our neighborhood in multiple ways:  

    • Safety/Neighborhood Atmosphere 1.  The turn at 5th & Garrard (at the Hearne House) sees multiple accidents each year due to motorists taking the turn at too high of speed.  When larger trucks and buses are allowed to take this route the risk of serious accidents increases.  Mitigation recommendations:  (A) re-route traffic by taking Route 8 off of 5th and Garrard and extending it north along Greenup with a right turn at 4th Street — and 4th Street two-way to the bridge, (B) place historic-look bollards between the street and sidewalk on the east side of Garrard between 5th and 4th Streets to protect pedestrians and properties (example to be found at Madison Avenue entrance to Hotel Covington), (C) slow traffic speed from 5th and Greenup to 5th and Garrard to 4th and Garrard, (D) make the slip lane at 4th and Garrard northbound a sharper turn so that traffic needs to take it at a slower speed.

    • Safety/Neighborhood Atmosphere 2.  There is a significant level of “cut-through/non-local” traffic that uses 2nd and 3rd Streets and Garrard to reach 4th Street and make a left turn onto 4th Street to cross the bridge.  With the new bridge larger trucks and buses will be tempted to use the same “cut-through", making streets more congested and crossings more dangerous and negatively impacting the neighborhood atmosphere.  Mitigation recommendation: (A) dis-allow left turn from Garrard Street south onto 4th Street.  Instead make 4th Street 2-way from Scott Street to the bridge, enabling Scott Street to be the southbound access to 4th Street and the bridge.

    • Safety/Cohesive/Equitable Neighborhood.   Our ability to safely cross 4th Street will be negatively impacted, which will also have a negative impact on our ability to maintain a cohesive/equitable neighborhood.  Mitigation plan requested.

    • Noise.  Study is currently underway by the State and reported as not yet complete.  We request that the study be concluded and shared before the project moves forward, so that mitigation can be incorporated into the plan.

    • Heritage Tree.  There is a historic tree at 4th and Garrard which will need to be removed when the bridge is constructed.  Our request is to note that and mitigate it by the planting of a new tree at the new 4th and Garrard corner.

    • Historic-look street light.  Our neighborhood paid to purchase and install a “historic-look” street light on the southeast side of 4th & Garrard for safety reasons.  We request that the state remove the street light and return it to the neighborhood so that we can use it in another location.  Or that the State re-install it on the new corner at 4th and Garrard.

The State Transportation Cabinet has requested comments on their report and proposed mitigation by close of business May 13th.  If you would like to amplify our requests for the neighborhood you can provide your input to:

Tom Springer tspringer@qk4.com and 

Stephanie Lechert stephanie.lechert@ky.gov

 Thank you!

 
 
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